Board Approves Policy Focused on Housing Conscious Healthcare

October 20, 2022

At its October 15 meeting, the MMA Board of Trustees approved a policy proposal submitted through The Pulse, on improving the effectiveness of healthcare given to people experiencing homelessness or unstable housing. 
 
The policy proposal, which was submitted by the MMA’s Medical Student Section, recommended that the Board  

• Support the creation and implementation of medical school curricula, continuing medical education, and information campaigns which educate physicians and trainees on how to screen for, and adapt medicine to, the housing status of patients; 
• Pursue the collaborations, payment reforms, and legislation necessary to enable healthcare providers and institutions to screen for, and adapt medicine to, the housing status of patients; 
• Support healthcare programs tailored to serving patients experiencing homelessness or unstable housing, including, but not limited to: 

  • a) recuperative care, a program which offers healthcare providers a safe place to discharge people experiencing homeless when they no longer require hospitalization but still need to heal from an illness or injury, and 

  • b) street medicine, a program through which healthcare professionals can provide medical care to people experiencing homelessness outside of the clinic, in places like encampments, parks, and under bridges. 

Eighty-two members voted on the policy proposal, with 70 voting yes, six voting no and six not taking a position.

The Pulse, available only to MMA members, can be used to submit policy proposals for MMA consideration, vote on policy proposals prior to MMA Board action, and provide feedback on decisions made by the MMA Board.