Medicalizing Homelessness...

[drusso]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/28/hawaii-homeless-housing-bill-healthcare-costs

"Instead of prescribing medication to homeless patients like Williams, what if doctors could prescribe something else that might ameliorate their health problems more effectively? The prescription would be housing."

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[Beezlebub]

interesting idea, but sadly no chance under trump admin unless it's state jurisdiction b/c it would raise taxes significantly in the housing sector. would also prescribe employment and social rehab so they can be integrated w/ society again. the old saying goes, "give a man a fish and he wont starve for a day, but teach him how to fish and he will never go hungry again".

 

[lobelsteve]

Society has crashed. No personal responsibility.

Let them eat cake?

 

[Gauss]

why have doctors doing social workers' jobs?

 

[Kokonaut]

In all fairness I do not think you can equate homelessness to only being a case of irresponsible behavior, that never invites room for improvement or addressing systemic problems. Housing first may be cost effective compared to repeat ED visits, hospitalizations, and jail time.


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[hyperalgesia]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/feb/28/hawaii-homeless-housing-bill-healthcare-costs

"Instead of prescribing medication to homeless patients like Williams, what if doctors could prescribe something else that might ameliorate their health problems more effectively? The prescription would be housing."

It's a kooky plan that will never pass. When you attach an intractable, complicated problem like homelessness to a sustainable social program like Medicaid, you end up with an intractable Medicaid program. See Social Security and Medicare Disability.