Recuperative Care Receives Support in House Health Finance and Policy Committee

March 16, 2023

A bill that would provide Medical Assistance (MA) coverage for recuperative care services for Minnesotans experiencing homelessness who need a place to recover following a hospitalization, was heard this week by the House Health Finance and Policy Committee. 

More than 20,000 Minnesotans experience homelessness every year, and nearly half of those are children. Minnesotans experiencing homelessness who are discharged from a hospital need a safe place to recuperate in order to improve health outcomes. 

MMA President Will Nicholson, MD, testified in strong support of  HF 2081 (Rep. Acomb, DFL-Minnetonka). “For most people discharged from a hospital – recovery can take place at home, under the watchful eye of caregivers and others charged with their care,” Nicholson said. “For a person who does not have a home in which to recover, recovery following discharge from a hospital can be difficult and challenging. For these patients, recovery on the streets is not an option.” 

So much of what happens outside of the clinic or hospital impacts the health status of Minnesotans, and homelessness is one of those issues and is a major social driver of health.    

 “Patients experiencing homelessness are twice as likely to be readmitted within a week of discharge from the hospital and are more likely to be admitted to the hospital to care for high risk, costly conditions,” Nicholson testified. “In addition, patients experiencing homelessness are at risk of an earlier death, compared to those who have stable housing.”  

The MA coverage would pay for needed services like care coordination, social services, and other services needed for recovery. It would not cover the cost of short-term housing because federal law prohibits Medicaid funds to pay for shelter.  

Because there will be a cost to provide this coverage, the bill was laid over for possible inclusion in the House Omnibus Health and Human Services budget bill.