From Purse Strings to Heart Strings

Innovations to Connect the Health & Human Service Delivery

Abstract

The United States struggles with a host of complex economic and social issues that have grave implications to the health and wellbeing of our nation. As we grapple with big issues like tax reform, a balanced budget, and overall poverty, helping people meet their most basic needs by investing in effective social service interventions is a promising strategy that truly delivers substantial results by potentially saving billions of dollars in healthcare expenditures. Connecting eligible Americans to benefit programs that cover the costs of food, shelter, heat, and healthcare is not only a moral imperative; it is an effective strategy that addresses the social determinants of health and drastically reduces rising healthcare costs. Benefits Data Trust is at the forefront of connecting vulnerable individuals to the basic services and supports they need to be economically secure and live healthy lives. Our data-informed model uniquely combines person-centered outreach, effective systems change efforts, and cross-sector collaboration in order to design a total health solution; a health & human service delivery system that improves the lives of millions across the country and saves billions of tax dollars in the process.