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- Support Sought to Address Social Determinants of Health, Close Medicaid Coverage Gap
The CAP asked Congress to address social determents of health and close the Medicaid coverage gap in its next government funding bill. The CAP is committed to achieving health equity and addressing disparities in care to ensure quality, accessible patient care for all Americans.
In both letters to House and Senate leadership, the CAP said that expanding Medicaid coverage was essential to providing access to health care services. People without health insurance are more likely to delay needed medical care, including diagnostic testing and screening services. In addition, access to preventative care, cancer screening services, treatment for chronic illnesses, and mental health disorders are essential for communities of color, rural communities, and other underserved populations, the CAP said.
In 2021, the CAP also supported The Social Determinants Accelerator Act, which is still in the Senate for consideration. The legislation would address health determinants by providing grants for state, local, and tribal governments to develop strategies that target social determinants negatively impacting the United States’ most vulnerable populations. The legislation would also establish a federal interagency council to help grantees identify federal authorities, opportunities, and strategies to tackle these challenges.