Stabenow, Young Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Address Social Determinants of Health

U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) introduced legislation that would empower states and local governments to improve health outcomes by addressing the economic and social conditions in which people live, learn, work, and play. The Social Determinants Accelerator Act would establish a federal interagency council to better leverage existing programs and address the barriers to coordination between health and social services programs. The bill would also help states and localities to develop innovative strategies to address social determinants in their communities.

“Families know that staying healthy takes much more than just going to the doctor. Investing in nutrition services, housing, transportation, and good-paying jobs will make sure Americans have the resources they need to take care of their families. This bipartisan bill will improve the lives of Michiganders and expand Americans’ access to comprehensive health care,” said Senator Stabenow.

“A person’s health should not be dependent on where they live or the economic challenges they face,” said Senator Young. “This bipartisan bill will help our communities find solutions to challenges, such as reliable transportation and affordable housing, that negatively impact the health and well-being of our most vulnerable citizens.”

Social determinants of health are the economic and social conditions that affect an individual’s health and well-being, such as access to reliable transportation and stable housing. Addressing these factors can have a meaningful impact on the prevention and management of chronic diseases in our communities.

The Social Determinants Accelerator Act aims to address the social determinants of health by providing up to $20 million for state, local and tribal governments to develop strategies that target social determinants negatively impacting our most vulnerable populations. The legislation also establishes a federal interagency council to help grantees with identifying federal authorities, opportunities and strategies to tackle these challenges.

The complete text of the legislation can be found here.