www.link-health.org/our-blog/
INTHE PRESS
Suturing the Benefit Gap
ByEKZhou
March10,2025
WhatcanwelearnfromLinkHealth?
Imagineaworldwherelow-incomeindividualswalkintoacommunityhealthclinicforacheckupandleavewiththefinancialresourcestobuildahealthier,moresecurefuturefortheir families Thatvisionisnowareality
Recently,Ivisitedacommunityhealthclinic[i]whereLinkHealthworkstoconnectlow-income householdswithessentialfederalandstatebenefits LinkHealthisanonprofitorganization basedinBostonandHouston,foundedbyHKSMPPalumDr.AlisterMartin,anERphysicianand AssistantProfessoratHarvardMedicalSchool There,threenavigatorsstoodbyatableneara prominentLinkHealthsignboard.Whenpatientsarrivedandwaitedfortheirappointments,a LinkHealthnavigatorwouldapproachandassisttheminapplyingforfederalorstatebenefit programs.
Todate,theU.S.haslaunchedprogramslikeSNAP,WIC,andTANF(similartoTAFDCin Massachusetts,butwithdifferencesineligibilityandbenefits)toaddresspovertyandits broadersocietalcosts,notablyincludinghealthinequity AstudypublishedinNaturesuggests thatcashtransferstolow-incomecommunitiescaneffectivelyimprovehealthoutcomesand serveasapowerfultoolforreducinghealthdisparitiescausedbyhealthinequity,ultimately benefitingsocietythroughtheirspillovereffects.[ii]
Variouschallenges,however,hinderequitableaccesstotheseprograms.WhenIinterviewedDr. MartinabouthismotivationforstartingLinkHealth,heexplained,“Ihadwitnessedcountless preventable[emergencyroom]visitsbypatientswhocouldhaveavoidedthesesituationsif theyhadaccesstoadequateresources Despitesignificantfundingbeingallocatedtocreate theseresources,theyremainlargelyunderutilized”
Studieshaveshownthatwithadditionalincome,beneficiarieswouldhaveimprovedhealth, reducedfoodinsecurity,[iii]andfewerERvisits.[iv]Childrenofbeneficiarieswouldachieve highereducationalattainment,andfamiliesexperiencelessfinancialstress,whichinturn generatesbroadersocietalbenefits.Thesewouldleadtofewerlostworkdays,[v]lower healthcarecostsfromdecreasedERvisits[vi]andacutecareuse[vii],andadeclinein recidivismrates.[viii]
Manytargetedpopulations,however,lackaccesstoinformationorevenawarenessofsupport programs,leadingtomisunderstandingsaboutapplicationrequirementsorassumptionsthat theydonotqualify Languagebarriersfurtherimpedeaccess,makingitharderforpeopleto navigatethesystem.
TheapplicationprocesscanbeoverwhelmingandredundantPoorlydesignedformatsand outdatedsystemsdraintimeandenergyforbothapplicantsandadministrators,leavingthose inurgentneedstrugglingtogetsupportInMassachusetts,forinstance,thereisnocommon applicationforbenefits,requiringindividualstorepeatedlyenterthesameinformationacross multipleforms.
Thesechallengescreatebenefitgapsthatpreventcommunitiesfromaccessingthesupport theyneed,leadingtotheunderutilizationofsocialsafetynetprogramsdesignedtohelpthem. ThisunderscorestheneedfortargetedsolutionsButhow?
LinkHealthhassuccessfullysupportedpatientsandfamiliesacrossMassachusettsandTexas byimplementingamodelfocusedonthreekeyfactorscomparabletoanoperatingroom
The“surgeon,”orthedrivingforcebehindLinkHealth,isitsworkforceTheteamconsistsof highlytrainedandmotivatedpatientnavigators,mostofwhomarestudentsinhealth-related fieldssuchasmedicine,publichealth,publicpolicy,andsocialwork.Navigatorsaretrainedto assistpatientsinfederallyqualifiedhealthcenters(FQHCs),suchastheoneIvisited,meeting patientswheretheyareandprovidingdirect,culturallycompetentsupport.
OnecriticalbarriertopatientsisalackofinformationManypatientsareunawarethatthey qualifyforbenefitsByproactivelyengagingwithpatients,navigatorsidentifythosewhoare eligibleandguidethemthroughtheenrollmentprocess,ensuringtheyreceivethesupportthey needbutmightnothavesoughtontheirown
Anothersignificantbarrierislanguage.Duringmyvisittotheclinic,Iwitnessedapatientwhose nativelanguagewasSpanish.Withouthesitation,thenavigatorswitchedtofluentSpanish, ensuringthepatientunderstoodtheprocessandreceivedtheassistancetheyneeded.This helpsensurethatnoeligibleindividualisleftbehind
Justasaneedleandthreadphysicallyclosegapsintissueduringsurgery,LinkHealth’s human-centeredapproachservesasthestitchingthatbridgesthebenefitgapThismodel emphasizeshumanconnectionandthereductionofbureaucraticbarriers,ensuringpatients receivethesupporttheyneedwithoutunnecessaryobstacles.
Navigatorsareintegratedwithpatientsandtheirfamiliesaspartoftheirclose-knit communities.Volunteersplayedwithpatients’children,offeringcandyortoyswhileassisting theirmotherswithbenefitapplicationsSomechildrenevenexpressedexcitementabout returning,makingsurethevolunteerhadtheirfavoritetoyreadyforthem
Beyondfosteringawelcomingenvironment,thismodelalsotacklesacriticalissue: bureaucratichurdlesManyhospitalshavesocialworkerprogramstohelppatientsnavigate availablefinancialresources,butthetypicalexperienceinvolvesreceivingyetanotherphone numbertocallandschedulinganotherappointment.LinkHealthremovestheseextrastepsby integratingsocialservicesdirectlyintocommunitycaresettings.Onceapatientisdeemed likelyeligible,aseniornavigatorgathersallthenecessaryinformationfortheirapplications. Moreover,whatsetsLinkHealthapartisitshands-onapproach;navigatorsnotonlyprovide guidance,butalsocompletetheapplicationsalongsidepatients,eliminatingtheneedfor additionalappointmentswithsocialworkersThisseamless,in-personsupportremoves barriersthatoftenpreventindividualsfromaccessingthebenefitstheyqualifyfor
Finally,justasadvancedsurgicaltoolsimproveprecision,speeduprecovery,andmake proceduresmoreefficient,LinkHealth’sartificialintelligence(AI)-poweredplatformsimplifies andacceleratestheapplicationprocess.Thisreducesthetimepatientsspendnavigating multiplewebsitesandforms,makingaccesstobenefitsmucheasier.
Whilenotimmediatelyvisibleduringmyvisit,thistechnologyplaysacrucialroleinquietly streamliningapplicationsbehindthescenesLinkHealth’sAI-poweredplatformconsolidatesall applicationsinoneplace,whichisespeciallyimportantforstateswherebenefitsapplications
arescatteredacrossdifferentsystemsTodate,just34stateshaveanintegratedapplication coveringthreeprograms,only15extendittofour,andamerefivestatesintegratefive programs,leavingmoststateswithfragmentedprocesses[ix]OfthetwostatesLinkHealth primarilyserves,MassachusettsbenefitsmostfromthiscommonapplicationplatformTexas, onthecontrary,hasanintegratedbenefitsapplicationsystemcalledYourTexasBenefits,which combinesallfiveessentialbenefitprograms.
WithLinkHealth’splatform,patientnavigatorscollectallnecessaryinformationfromthepatient atonceInsteadoffillingoutthesamedetailsrepeatedly,thesystemstoreskeyinformation, suchaspatientdetails,phonenumbers,andconsentforfollow-up,inasingle,comprehensive recordVolunteersthenusethisdatatocompleteapplicationformsandsubmitthemdirectly totherelevantstateagencies
LinkHealthoperatesinmanyFQHCsliketheoneIvisitedandiscontinuallyseekingnew partnershipstoexpanditsreach.Itisalsoexploringnewwaystoimproveefficiency,suchas developinganAIchatbottoreducethetimepatientsspendnavigatingthesystemandto streamlinetheapplicationprocess.
Thusfar,LinkHealthhashelpedfamiliesaccessover$4Minfederalandstatebenefits, providingsupporttomorethan3,000householdsWhileLinkHealthhasmadesignificant progress,itstillfaceskeychallengesItsrelianceonphilanthropicfundingcreatesuncertainty, anditsuniquecombinationofAI-poweredtechnology,askilledworkforce,andahumancenteredmodelmakesscalabilitydifficult.CanLinkHealthcontinuetohireandretaintop talent?Willitsin-person,hands-onapproachchangeasitexpands?Increasedpersonal interactionreducesscalability.Whilecrucialforsocialprograms’effectiveness,itrequires significantresourcesandisdifficulttostandardize,makingexpansionchallenging.[x]Without directhumansupport,cananAIchatbottrulymeetpatients’needs?LinkHealthiscurrently runningapilotprograminacommunityhealthclinic’sER,monitoringhowwellitsAIchatbot supportspatients
Despitethesechallenges,LinkHealthdemonstratesthatahighlyskilledandmotivated workforce,ahuman-centeredapproach,andtheuseofefficienttechnology,canensure benefitsreachthoseinneed.Forfamiliesstrugglingwithfoodinsecurity,medicalcosts,or unreliableinternetandphoneaccess,timelyaccesstobenefitsisn’tjustaboutextrafinancial support,butalsoaboutaddressingtherootcausesofhealthinequities,reducingstress,and creatingamorestablefuture
Thisessayisbasedonworkconductedcollaborativelywiththeauthor’sPolicyAnalysisExercise (PAE)partner,HannahMarks(HKSMPPClassof2025),aspartofourengagementwithour client,LinkHealthTheinterviewsandresearchweworkedontogetherhavesignificantly informedtheideasandinsightspresentedhere.
TheauthorgratefullyacknowledgestheLinkHealthteamforsharingtheirinsightsand information,whichalsocontributedtothiswork.
[i]Thenameoftheclinicisanonymized
[ii]AaronRichtermanetal“TheEffectsofCashTransfersonAdultandChildMortalityinLow-andMiddle-IncomeCountries,”Nature618(2023):764–769,Accessed January10,2025,https://wwwnaturecom/articles/s41586-023-06116-2
[iii]SamanthaWaxman,ArlocShermanandKrisCox,“IncomeSupportAssociatedwithImprovedHealthOutcomesfor Children,ManyStudiesShow:RefundableTaxCreditsAmongProgramsThatBoostIncome,”CenteronBudgetandPolicy PrioritiesMay27,2021,https://wwwcbpporg/research/federal-tax/income-support-associated-with-improved-healthoutcomes-for-children-many
[iv]SumitDAgarwalBenjaminLêCookJeffreyBLiebman EffectofCashBenefitsonHealthCareUtilizationandHealth:A RandomizedStudy JAMA332no17(2024):1455-1463doi:101001/jama202413004
[v]NationalInstituteonMinorityHealthandHealthDisparities,“TheEconomicBurdenofHealthDisparitiesintheUS2018,” NIMHD,accessedJanuary102025,https://wwwnimhdnihgov/about/publications/economic-burden-health-disparitiesUS-2018html
[vi]JessicaBartlett,“NewSurveyRevealsStarkRacialDisparitiesAmongThoseWhoRelyonERsforHealthCare,”CHIA Massachusetts,November30,2022,accessedJanuary10,2025,https://wwwchiamassgov/new-survey-reveals-starkracial-disparities-among-those-who-rely-on-ers-for-health-care
[vii]MartaLMcCrumetal TakingActiontoAchieveHealthEquityandEliminateHealthcareDisparitiesWithinAcuteCare Surgery TraumaSurgery&AcuteCareOpen9no1(2024):e001494https://pmcncbinlmnihgov/articles/PMC11481130/ [viii]OfficeofMinorityHealth JusticeandHealthInitiatives USDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicesaccessed January10,2025,https://minorityhealthhhsgov/omhs-justice-and-health-initiatives [ix]CodeforAmerica,TheBenefitsEnrollmentFieldGuide,CodeforAmerica,2024 https://codeforamericaorg/explore/benefits-enrollment-field-guide/ [x]GregoryDees,BethBattleAnderson,andJaneWei-Skillern,“ScalingSocialImpact,”StanfordSocialInnovationReview1, no4(2004):24–32,https://doiorg/1048558/CNNZ-7276
More Broadband Access, Better Health
ByKareemKingand DominickContreras
May25,2023
AnewgovernmentprogramisbringingfreeordiscountedInternetservicetoisolatedpeople Canitlast?
AtabustlingcommunityhealthcenterintheheartofBostononewinterevening,Dr.Alister Martinsatacrossfroma64-year-oldman,apatientatthecenterwhomwewillcallLarryoutof respectforhismedicalprivacy.WewerecollegestudentsvolunteeringwithLinkHealth,an organizationthatMartinfounded,andwehadjoinedthedoctorthatnightinhopesofhelping patientsatthecentersignupforanewdiscountedInternetservicethroughthefederal government.ItisknownastheAffordableConnectivityProgram,orACP.
Asanemergencyphysician,MartinhasseenhowreliableInternetaccesscanmakeallthe differenceinmanagingchronicconditions,stayinginformed,andavoidingisolation Larry, however,remaineddubiousabouttheprogram.
“Look,doc,”hesaid,hisvoicetingedwithskepticism.“Idon’thaveacomputerathome.Idon’t thinkthisisforme Besides,governmentain’tneverdonemuchforfolkslikeme Whatsaysthis’ll beanydifferent?”
Martintriedtomakeacompellingcaseforthisprogram’spotentialtoconnecthimto telehealthservices,onlineresources,andfamilymembersandtherebytransformhislife:“Larry, Ihearyou Butthisprogramisdesignedspecificallytohelppeoplelikeyou It’llgiveyouextra moneytogetyousetupwithacomputerathomeandcoveryourInternetbill.”
Larryshifteduncomfortablyinhisseat,stillunconvinced.“Idon’tknow,doc.Seemstoogoodto betrue”
Larryisamongthemorethan1,500patientsourteamhashelpedscreenforACPeligibilitythis yearinanefforttoenablemorepeopletoconnectwithhealthcareonline
Theprogramgiveshouseholdsadiscountofupto$75permonthontheirInternetplananda one-time$100technologysubsidy.Anyonewhoisatorbelow200percentofthefederal povertylevelorenrolledinafederalassistanceprogram(suchasSNAP,WIC,Medicaid,or Medicare)iseligibletoapply.Thatamountstoroughly52millionUShouseholds.Yetonly18 millionhouseholdshavesignedupfortheprogram
ThehouseholdsthatarestuckonthewrongsideofthedigitaldividearewhyLinkHealthwas started Itisacollectiveofdoctors,medicalstudents,collegestudents,andcommunity
organizersworkingattheintersectionofhealth,justice,andcivicengagementOurgoalisto improvehealthbybridgingthatdivide
Studiesestimatethat80to90percentofhealthoutcomesaredeterminedbyfactorsoutside thehospitalordoctor’sofficeThesesocialdeterminantsofhealthincludethingssuchas socioeconomicstatus,accesstoadequateeducation,foodsecurity,andhousingsecurityThe InternethasbecomeanintegralpartofhealthcaretooPeoplecanuseittoreviewtheir medicalinformation,makedoctor’sappointments,andeducatethemselvesabouttheir medicalissuesTheycanalsoregistertovoteandsignupforassistanceprogramslikeSNAP, Section8housing,andMassHealth
DrAlisterMartinatMassGeneralHospitalin2018JonathanWiggs/GlobeStaff
However,15to24percentofAmericansstilldonothavebroadbandaccessBlack,Hispanic, andNativeAmericanadultsaresignificantlylesslikelythanwhiteadultstohaveacomputeror homebroadband
TheAffordableConnectivityProgramwasincludedintheBipartisanInfrastructureLawof2021 However,currentprojectionsindicateitwillneedmorefundinginordertolastbeyond2024We believethattheUnitedStatesmustbuildpermanentsystemstoensureeveryoneisabletoget online orourmostvulnerablecommunitieswillbeleftbehind
LinkHealthfocusesonbringingInternetaccesstounderservedcommunitiesdirectlySome patientsareabletodrasticallyreducetheamounttheypayfortheirhigh-speedInternetplans Wehelpothersgettheirmonthlybillto$0Andwegetyetothers,likeLarry,moneytobuya computerforthefirsttimeintheirlivesandsetthemupwithhomeInternet.Wepartnerwith hospitals,communityhealthcenters,andotherlocalorganizationstosignpeopleupforthe ACPinwaitingrooms,beforetheyareseenforothermedicalservices.
DespiteLarry’sinitialhesitance,Martinpressedonandpersuadedhimtoseethevalueofthis opportunity.“Youdeservethissupport,Larry.Letushelpyou.”
KareemKingandDominickContrerasarepre-medstudentswhoaregraduatingfromHarvardthisweekwithdegreesinthehistoryof science
BaylorMed Students BridgeDigital Divide, Empowering Black,Brown Communities
ByLauraOnyeneho September18,2024
Localmedicalstudentsaretacklinganissuethathasbecomecriticalintoday’sdigitalage: accesstotheinternet.Recognizingthesignificantgapindigitalaccessamongunderserved communities,theBaylorCollegeofMedicine’sstudent-ledDigitalEquityProgram,in collaborationwithLinkHealth,ismakingstridestobridgethisdivide.Third-yearmedical studentsNicoleNyamongoandSelenaGuoareattheforefrontofthiseffort,bringingvital resourcestothosewhoneedthemmost.
ThedigitaldividedisproportionatelyaffectsBlackandbrowncommunities,particularlyin lower-incomehouseholds.Accessingtelehealthservices,managinghealthcareappointments, andconnectingwithhealthprofessionalsisoftenhamperedbyalackofaffordableinternet
“Internetaccessisconsideredasupersocialdeterminantofhealth,”saysNyamongo “Without it,manyareleftbehind,unabletotakeadvantageoftelehealthservicesorevenaccesstheir patientportals”
ThisinequityhasbecomeevenmoreapparentsincetheCOVID-19pandemic,wheretheshiftto onlineservicesleftmanywithoutthenecessarytoolstoengagewiththeirhealthcareproviders NyamongoandGuo,bothfellowsintheDigitalEquityProgram,havebeenworkingtirelesslyto ensurethatlow-incomeresidentsinHoustongainaccesstolow-costbroadbandthroughthe federalLifelineprogram.
“Ourroleinvolvesdirectlyreachingouttothecommunity,”Guoexplains.“We’vebeenattending communityhealthfairs,back-to-schoolevents,andevensettingupclinicboothstosignup eligiblepatientsforLifeline.We’renotjustgivingtheminternetaccess;we’regivingthemaway toconnectwithvitalhealthresources,andinsomecases,alifelinetotheirwellbeing”
Theimpactoftheirworkisalreadyvisible.Overthepastyear,theLinkHealthHoustonteamhas screenedmorethan9,600patientsforeligibility,resultinginmanyhouseholdsgaininginternet accessatareducedcost.TheseeffortsarecrucialforacitylikeHouston,whereanestimated threemillionhouseholdsareeligiblefortheLifelineprogram,yetonly8%areenrolled
Guosharesapoignantstoryofapatientsheencounteredatapublichospital,arefugeewith limitedEnglishandincome.
“Shewasconcernedaboutherjob,herfamily,herincome thingsbeyondherimmediate health,”Guorecalls.“Theformsandresourcessheneededwereonline,butshedidn’teven haveaphone Ithighlightedtomejusthowcriticalinternetaccessis,especiallyforthosein vulnerablesituations.”
Nyamongoadds,“It’seasyforhealthprofessionalstoassumeeveryonehasinternetaccess, butthat’snotthecaseOurworkisaboutbringingawarenessandhelpingpeopletapintothe availableresources”
Strongcommunitypartnerships,includingcollaborationswithBaylorCollegeofMedicine,the UniversityofHouston,andLegacyCommunityHealth,havedriventheprogram’ssuccessin HoustonThesepartnershipsensuretheprogram’ssustainabilityandexpanditsreach, engagingundergraduateandmedicalstudentsacrossthecity
“We’vestartedsendingouttextmessagestopatients,allowingthemtoconnectwith ambassadorswhocanguidethemthroughsigningupforfederalbenefits,”saysGuo“This virtualaspecthasallowedustoscreenevenmorepeople,reachingthosewhomightnot attendaneventorvisitaclinic”
ForBlackandBrowncommunitiesinHouston,theDigitalEquityProgramrepresentsmorethan justaninitiative;it’sasteptowardreducinghealthdisparitiesandempoweringindividualsto takecontroloftheirhealth
“Ourworkisaboutmorethanjustinternetaccess,”Nyamongoemphasizes“It’saboutensuring thateveryone,regardlessofincomeorbackground,hasthetoolstolivehealthierlives”
Transforming Lives:New Federal Benefit Programs withinLink Health
ByJessicaJohnson
September18,2024
FederalbenefitprogramshavelongservedascruciallifelinesformillionsofAmericans, addressingessentialneedsandenhancingqualityoflife.Inaneramarkedbygrowing economicinequalityandpublichealthchallenges,theimportanceoftheseprogramscannot beoverstated–theyarenotjustsafetynetsbutsteppingstonestobetterhealthandeconomic opportunity However,accessingthesebenefitsisoftencomplexandburdensome,leaving manyeligiblefamilies,pregnantwomen,andmorewithoutthesupportthattheyneed.
IntheUnitedStates,thesevulnerablepopulationsfaceavarietyofpressingissuesthathave social,economic,andhealthconsequences.Foodinsecurityremainsasignificantconcern, affecting1in8householdsandcontributingtopoorhealthoutcomes Similarly,millionsof women,infants,andchildrenareatnutritionalrisk,whichunderscorestheimportanceofearlylifeinterventionsandsupport Rising,unaffordablechildcarecostsplaceanadditionalstrainon families,particularlythosewithsingleparentsorlowincomes,sincecareperchildcanequate toupwardsof19%ofafamily’smedianincome Inthismodernagewhereconnectivity determinesaccesstoopportunitiesandessentialservices,thedigitaldividestandsasanother glaringinequality,withnearly1in4ruralAmericansstilllackingbroadbandinternetaccess Highhealthcareandinsurancecostscontinuetobebarriersformany,withroughlyhalfofUS adultscitingittobedifficulttoaffordsuchcosts,whichthenresultsindeferredcare,worsening healthconditions,andhigherlong-termexpenses Financialinstabilityandemploymentissues furthercompoundallofthesechallenges,leavingalmost40%ofAmericanadultsstrugglingto makeendsmeet
Whilefederalassistanceprogramsaredesignedtoaddresssuchissues,theirpotentialisoften unrealizedduetobarriersinaccessibilityandawareness.LinkHealth,auniqueorganization embeddedinhealthcaresettings,isapotentialsolution Recognizingthatissueslikefood securityandfinancialstabilityaresocialdeterminantsofhealth,LinkHealthactivelyenrolls patientsinfederalbenefitprograms.Byintegratingtheirservicesintocommunityhealth centers,LinkHealthisabletoincreaseawarenessoftheseprograms,facilitatesmoother enrollmentprocesses,provideimmediatesupport,andhelpdistributethousandsofdollars backtolow-incomefamilies
Aspartoftheirongoingeffortstoenhancehealthandeconomicopportunity,LinkHealthhas recentlyaddednewfederalbenefitprogramstotheirportfolio,helpingenrollmorepatients thaneverbefore Theseprogramsinclude:theSupplementalNutritionAssistanceProgram (SNAP),SpecialSupplementalNutritionProgramforWomen,Infants,andChildren(WIC),Child CareFinancialAssistance(CCFA),Lifelineprogram,MedicareSavingsPrograms(MSP),and TransitionalAidtoFamilieswithDependentChildren(TAFDC)
LinkHealthhasalsostarteddoingtargetedenrollmentsinBabyStepsandEarnedIncomeTax Credit(EITC)throughtheGetYourRefundprograminpartnershipwithCodeForAmerica
Thesebenefitprogramsplayavitalroleinmitigatingtheissuesimpactinglow-incomefamilies andprovidingsupportwhereitismostneededSNAPprovidesessentialfoodsupporttolowincomeindividualsandfamilies,ensuringaccesstonutritiousmealswithanaveragebenefitof $240perhouseholdpermonthSimilarly,WICofferstargetednutritionalassistance,promoting healthydevelopmentduringcriticalgrowthperiodsandimprovingthehealthoflow-income womenwithanaveragebenefitof$50permonthCCFAhelpsfamiliesaffordqualitychildcare, enablingparentstoworkorpursueeducationwithoutcompromisingtheirchildren’scarewith anaveragebenefitof$300perweekperchildLifelineprovidesfreeordiscountedphoneand internetservicestoqualifyingindividuals,therebybridgingthedigitaldividewithamonthly benefitofupto$9.25andupto$34.25forthoselivingonTriballands.MSPassistswithMedicare premiums,deductibles,andco-payments,reducingthefinancialburdenofhealthcareforlowincomeseniorsanddisabledindividualswithanaveragebenefitof$170permonth.TAFDC offersfinancialandemploymentsupporttofamiliesinneed,helpingthemachieveselfsufficiencywithanaveragemonthlybenefitofnearly$500.BabyStepshelpsMassachusetts familiesjump-starttheirchild’sfutureeducationbyofferinganinitial$50depositintoa529 collegesavingsaccount,plusa$10monthlydepositforoneyearthroughSNAPbenefits.Finally, EITChelpsempowerlow-tomoderate-incomeworkersandfamiliestowardfinancialstability byofferingataxcreditofupto$1,500.
Forlow-incomefamilies,mothers,andchildren,theseprogramsarenotjustbeneficialbutvital. However,thebarriersofawarenessandaccessibilitystillremain.Forexample,only51%ofthose eligibleforWICareenrolled,Lifelinehasaparticipationrateofjust20%throughoutthecountry, andofthe12.5millionchildreneligibleforchildcaresubsidies,only16%receivesuchassistance. Ensuringaccesstonutritiousfood,medicalcare,digitalconnectivity,financialassistance,and affordablechildcareultimatelyhelpsbuildafoundationforbetterhealthandeconomic stabilityAssuch,throughitsefforts,LinkHealthiscommittedtoconnectingpatientstothese essentialneedsviafederalbenefitprogramsLinkHealthisnotonlyimprovingindividualhealth outcomesbutalsofosteringmoreempoweredandresilientcommunities
LinkHealth’sexpansionofprogramsalsounderscoresitscommitmenttomaximizingsavings forpatientsandensuringthatlow-incomefamilieshavethesupportthattheyneedSofar,Link Healthhashelpeddistributeover$872,000backtopatientsbyenrollingtheminSNAP,WIC, CCFA,Lifeline,MSP,TAFDC,BabySteps,andEITCAmajorityoftheseenrolleesarealsoracialand ethnicminorities,whichisacrucialsteptowardsreducingeconomicandhealthinequitiesin historicallyunderservedcommunities
However,tofullyrealizethepotentialoffederalbenefitprograms, increasedfunding,outreachefforts,andstreamlinedaccessto theseprogramsareimperative Policymakers,healthcare providers,andcommunityorganizationsmustcollaborateto ensurethatalleligibleindividualsandfamiliescanreceivethe assistancetheyneed.Advocacyeffortsshouldfocusonexpanding programfunding,simplifyingenrollmentprocesses,andraising awarenessaboutavailablebenefits
BysupportinginitiativeslikethoseofLinkHealth,wecanmake substantialstridesinaddressingthesocialdeterminantsofhealth andtransforminglives Ensuringthateveryeligiblepersonhas accesstothesecriticalprogramsisnotjustamatterofpolicybut afundamentalsteptowardbuildingahealthier,moreequitable futureforallAmericans.
OUR BLOG
PublicBenefitsCanImpactHealth: ABlackHistoryMonthReflection
ByAr’SheillMonsanto,ReginaAgyemang –
BlackHistoryMonthisatimetoreflectontheresilience,achievements,andongoingstruggles ofBlackAmericansthroughouthistory Oneofthemostenduringfightsthatstilloccurstodayis forequalaccesstohealthcare.ThelegacyofMedicaid,aprogramrootedintheCivilRights Movement,isatestamenttohowhealthcareaccessremainsakeycivilrightsissue
WhenPresidentLyndonB JohnsonsignedtheCivilRightsActof1964,itwasn’tjustabout desegregatinglunchcountersandschools.Thelandmarklegislationalsolaidthegroundwork forhealthcareequalitybyprohibitingdiscriminationinanyprogramreceivingfederalfunds Oneyearlater,MedicareandMedicaidwereborn,fundamentallytransforminghealthcare accessformillionsofAmericans,includingmanyBlackfamilieswhohadlongbeendenied adequate,qualitymedicalcare
Dr MartinLutherKingJr,oneofthemostprominentleadersinthecivilrightsmovement, understoodthatracialandeconomicjusticewereinseparablefromhealthcarejustice.Dr.King frequentlyspokeabouthowsegregatedhealthcarefacilitiesandlackofaccesstomedical careweredevastatingBlackcommunities,leadingtohiseffortstomakehealthcarereforma keycivilrightspriority(1) HiscollaborationwithPresidentJohnsonwascriticaltocreating Medicaid Whiletheirrelationshipwascomplex,bothmensawMedicaidasatoolforracialand economicjustice.
PresidentJohnson’sGreatSocietyvisionfundamentallytransformedAmericanhealthcareby creatingMedicaidin1965 Aspartofhisbroader“WaronPoverty,”PresidentJohnsonsaw
serviceslikeMedicareandMedicaidasessentialtohisvisionofbuildingamoreequitable societyMedicaid,inparticular,wasconsideredacivilrightsvictoryasitensuredthatlowincomeAmericans,manyofthemBlack,hadaccesstohealthcareWhilemorelimitedthan today’sversion,theoriginalMedicaidprogramrepresentedarevolutionaryconcept:that healthcareforlow-incomeAmericansshouldbearight,notaprivilege.
Yet,60yearslater,asasociety,wefindourselvesatanothercriticalmomentinthefightfor healthcarejustice,particularlyaroundfundingforclinics,federallyqualifiedhealthcenters,and community-basedservicesthatservepredominantlyBlackcommunities
Medicaidisthelargestfundingsourceforhomeandcommunity-basedservices,allowing peoplewithdisabilitiesandolderAmericanstoliveindependentlyintheircommunitiesrather thaninstitutions(2)Thisrepresentsaprofoundshiftfromthecivilrightserawhen institutionalization,likenursinghomes,wasoftentheonlyoptionforthoseneedinglong-term care.Theworldhasevolved,andthroughtheworkofCommunityHealthWorkersandCertified PatientNavigators,thereismoreopportunitytoprovidehealthcareservicesrightwherethe peoplearewhenhealthcarefacilitiesaren’tanavailableoption.
Thenumberstellapowerfulstory!
In2022,morethan91millionolderadults,children,militaryfamilies,pregnantwomen,and peoplewithdisabilitieswerecoveredbyMedicaidYetapproximately710,000Americansare currentlyonwaitinglistsforMedicaidservicesProposedcutstoMedicaidthreatentoturnback theclock,potentiallyforcingpeoplebackintoinstitutions–theveryoutcomethedisability rightsandcivilrightsmovementhavefoughtagainst.
BothPresidentJohnson’sandDr.King’ssharedvisionofhealthcarejusticelivesoninMedicaid’s structureandmissionTheprogramremainsoneofthemostessentialtoolsforaddressing racialandeconomicdisparitiesinhealthcareaccess
AtLinkHealth,thismissionisattheheartofourworkWeservethosewhoneedaccessto resourceslikeMedicaid,ensuringthattheyreceivethecareandsupportthattheydeserveAt LinkHealth,wesharethevisionthatMedicaidhasaroleinsupportingindependentlivingfor disabledandolderAmericans.Thisisn’tjustabouthealthcare–it’saboutcivilrights,dignity, andthefundamentalAmericanpromiseofequalityandjusticeforalldespiterace,gender,or disability.
Medicaidsupportsjobsinthehealthcaresector,contributestothestate’seconomy,andhelps maintainthehealthandwell-beingofthepopulationItoftensupportsover50%oftotalfederal fundingallocatedtostatesForexample,thefederalgovernmentprovides608%and653%in MassachusettsandTexas,respectively,whilethestatecoverstheremainderofthecostfor coverageforitsresidents.(3).Moreover,Medicaidpatientsarethetargetdemographicforour workwithLinkHealth.
Weknowthesefamiliesareeligibleformoreresourcesthatcanempowerthemeconomically andaddressthenon-medicaldriversofhealth
Medicaidispartofabroadercivilrightsagenda,andtoday’sdebatesaboutMedicaid expansionandfundingreflectongoingstrugglesforhealthcareequityandsocialjusticeThe questionbeforeustodayechoesthechallengesof1964:Willwemoveforwardtowardgreater equalityandinclusion,orwillweallowprogresstobereversed? TheanswerliesinprotectingMedicaidfundingandrecognizingthathealthcareaccess remainsavitalcivilrightsissueofourtime.JoinLinkHealthinthisfight.Advocateandtake actionbecausehealthcarejusticeiscivilrightsjustice.
Sources: 1:USDepartmentoftheInterior(nd)LyndonBJohnsonsrelationshipwithMLKNationalParksService https://wwwnpsgov/gwmp/learn/historyculture/lbjandmlkhtm
2Nacdd,Author:NACDD,&Author:(2025,February5)NACDDMedicaidfactsheetNACDDhttps://nacddorg/nacdd-medicaid-fact-sheet/ 3FederalandstateshareofMedicaidspendingKFF(2024,October30)https://wwwkfforg/medicaid/state-indicator/federalstate-share-of-spending/? currentTimeframe=0&sortModel=%7B%22colId%22%3A%22Location%22%2C%22sort%22%3A%22asc%22%7D
FromRipplesintoWaves:LinkHealththeCharge onInnovativeA.I.StrategiestoIncreasePublic BenefitsEnrollment
ByAustinTsai –
Imagineyourselfatagrocerystore,shoppingforproduce.Bythetimeyougethome,younotice anadthatadifferentgrocerystore,ontheothersideoftown,hadagreaterselectionand betterprices.Itwasn’tonyoufornotknowing,norwasitthefaultofadvertisementsfornot tellingyousooner Itwassimplyunnoticed,andyoufellthroughthecracks
ThisanalogyillustratesapredicamentfacedbymillionsofAmericans:theexistenceofstate andfederalbenefitsprogramsthatremainunknownorinaccessibletothosewhoneedthem themost.Theproblemisnotjustthelackofawareness,butalsothedauntingprocessof enrollment,whichleavesmanyeligibleindividualsfallingthroughthecracks Fortunately, organizationslikeLinkHealtharebridgingthisgap,ensuringthatmorepeoplecanaccessthe supporttheydeserve.
LinkHealth,anonprofitorganization,issimplifyingandstreamliningtheenrollmentprocessfor essentialpublicbenefits WorkingcloselywiththeCityofBostonandtheCommonwealthof Massachusetts,LinkHealthpartnerswithseveralhealthcarecenterstodirectlyenrollpatients intovariousfederalbenefitsprograms Theseprogramsprovidecrucialsupportthatcan significantlyimprovequalityoflife.
AmongtheprogramsLinkHealthfacilitatesareLifeline,whichoffersfreeordiscountedphone andinternetservices;TransitionalAidtoFamilieswithDependentChildren(TAFDC),which providesfinancialandemploymentsupporttofamiliesinneed;andtheSupplementalNutrition AssistanceProgram(SNAP),whichisessentialforensuringfoodsecurityforlow-income individualsandfamilies Theseprogramsarenotjustbeneficial;theyarevital,oftenmakingthe differencebetweenstabilityandcrisisformanyhouseholds.
TheimpactofLinkHealth’sworkisnotmerelytheoreticalInjusttwoyears,theorganizationhas helpedupwardsof1900individuals,injectingover$18MinfundingbackintohouseholdsThisis notjustamatterofnumbers;itisatestamenttothetangibledifferencethatwell-executed enrollmentaidcanmakeForeveryhouseholdthatreceivessupport,thereisarippleeffectthat extendsintothewidercommunity,improvinghealth,reducingstress,andfosteringeconomic stability.
HowwasLinkHealthabletoaccomplishthiswork?Theanswerliesinembracingnew technologyintheformofArtificialIntelligence(AI)Thefirststepbeginswithascreeningtool ambassadorsforLinkHealthusewithpatientsforeligibilityscreeningAfterwards,throughthe helpoftheAIforImpactCo-opProgramatNortheasternUniversity’sBurnesCenterforSocial Change,aspecificgenerativeAIwasprovidedtoLinkHealthforseamlessdataentrybysimply scanninganeligiblepatient’sIDTheOpticalCharacterRecognitiontechnologyprovidedbythe AIinputspatientinformationintoadatabasewhichhelpswithpopulatingspecificinformation intotheenrollmentapplicationsfordifferentprograms.Furthermore,inputintothisdatabase allowsforbettersecurityofpatientinformation,asopposedtoothermethods.Overall,the usageofAIinthisfashionallowsanyoneintheorganizationtohelppatientsinneedas efficientlyaspossible,resultingintheobservedimpactLinkHealthhashadonpatients’lives
AlthoughLinkHealthhasdonesubstantialworkinthisfield,itisnotaloneinthismissionAcross thecountry,similarorganizationsareworkingtoensurethatfederalandstatebenefitsreach thosewhoneedthemAuxaHealthprovidescomprehensivebenefitscreening,educating individualsontheprogramstheymayqualifyforandassistingthemintheenrollmentprocess. Thisproactiveapproachensuresthatmorepeopleareawareofthesupportavailabletothem andcannavigatetheoften-complicatedenrollmentprocedures.
Similarly,CinnamonHealth,actsasadigitalnetwork,directlyengagingwithpatientsto streamlinegovernmentbenefitsenrollmentByleveragingtechnology,CinnamonHealthmakes theprocessmoreaccessible,particularlyforthosewhomaynothavethetimeorabilityto navigatecomplexsystemsontheirownAdditionally,theyoffersupporttootherstakeholders, suchaspatientadvocatesandsocialworkers,ensuringthatthebenefitsenrollmentprocessis assmoothandefficientaspossibleforaidingtheirclients.
UnoHealth,meanwhile,focusesonMedicareAdvantage.Forpatientsalreadycoveredby Medicare,UnoHealthassistsinenrollingeligibleplanmembersintobothstateandfederal income-basedbenefitsprogramsthroughpersonalizedsavingsplansThistargetedapproach ensuresthateventhosewhoarealreadyreceivingsomebenefitscanmaximizetheiraccessto thefullrangeofsupportavailabletothem
Eachoftheseorganizations,muchlikeLinkHealth,playsacrucialroleinassistingpatientswith enrollinginstateandfederalbenefitprograms,whetherin-personordigitally.However, organizationsdonotoperateforever.Forinstance,theBenefitsDataTrust,whichhasspent20 yearsprovidingaccesstobenefitsforpeoplenationwide,hasrecentlyshutitsdoors.This developmentunderscorestheimportanceofsustainingandexpandingtheseefforts.
Theideaofenrollmentaidisnotnovel,buttheproliferationoforganizationsdedicatedtothis causelendscredencetoitsimportanceTherippleeffectoftheirworkhasthepotentialtogrow intoawave,transformingthelivesofthousandsofindividualsforthebetterButforthiswaveto reachitsfullpotential,moreorganizations,stategovernments,andcommunitiesmust recognizethevalueoftheseeffortsandsupportthemaccordingly.Inacountrywherethe socialsafetynetisoftenstrained,theworkoforganizationslikeLinkHealthanditscounterparts isindispensable.Theyarenotjusthelpingindividuals;theyarehelpingtobuildstronger,more resilientcommunities.Thechallengeisgreat,buttherewards forindividuals,families,and societyasawhole arefargreater
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