Bustos, Cole, Butterfield, Mullin Join More Than 700 Health Advocates to Launch New Congressional Social Determinants of Health Caucus

Press Release

Today,U.S. Representatives Cheri Bustos (D-IL), Tom Cole (R-OK), G. K. Butterfield (D-NC) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), alongside community health advocates from Aligning for Health, the YMCA and CareSource, announced the founding of the bipartisan Congressional Social Determinants of Health Caucus.

Co-Chairs Bustos, Cole, Butterfield and Mullin joined more than 700 advocates for a virtual event to launch the Caucus, which will focus on putting forward solutions to tackle health disparities and empower community leaders to combat the persistent social factors that harm long-term health. These social and environmental barriers to health include access to fresh food, stable housing, reliable transportation, provider shortages, among others.

LEARN more about the Social Determinants of Health Caucus here.

"The COVID-19 pandemic exposed many deep disparities in our health system and greatly exacerbated the already persistent barriers to health that many families in Illinois and across our country face, such as a lack of access to fresh foods, affordable health care and safe housing to name just a few," said Congresswoman Bustos. "The Social Determinants of Health Caucus will serve as a platform for Congress and community leaders to come together to put forward the solutions we need to finally tackle these longstanding issues at the root. I'm pleased to join my bipartisan Co-Chairs Cole, Butterfield and Mullin today to launch this key initiative and foster strong partnerships moving forward."

"I am delighted to join my colleagues in the Congressional Social Determinants of Health Caucus to develop strategies to address factors that adversely impact health outcomes and improve the well-being of Americans," said Congressman Cole. "By focusing on these non-medical factors, we can work toward a healthier population and more efficient spending of federal and state health care dollars."

"There is no denying there is a health disparities crisis in our country," said Congressman Butterfield. "Patients in minority, rural, and underserved communities experience higher incidences of disease and worse health outcomes than their peers. We know there isn't a single cause for this disparity, but rather, many factors that contribute to the health of an individual. Congress must take a holistic, whole-person approach when considering policy solutions to address health disparities. I am proud to join my fellow co-chairs to launch the Social Determinants of Health Caucus, which will serve as a hub for collaboration and evidenced-based information sharing as Congress considers policy solutions to address these important issues."

"Quality health care is more than just treating an illness, ailment, or chronic condition. Social determinants, or non-medical contributors, of health are an important part of our strategy to improve overall health and wellbeing of Americans. In order to improve health outcomes in the long run, we must look at the full picture of patients' lives and address these social determinants of health. I am proud to join my colleagues in forming this caucus to work towards solutions that improve health care for all Americans," said Congressman Mullin.

"We are thrilled to see Reps. Bustos, Cole, Butterfield, and Mullin taking action on the growing evidence that social factors deeply impact health and wellbeing. This Caucus will catalyze important policy development that will ultimately improve wellbeing, health, and other positive outcomes in communities across the country," said Krista Drobac, Co-Chair, Aligning for Health.

"On average, 80 percent of a person's health outcomes are determined by what happens in their community, outside the clinical setting. We cannot improve outcomes in our country unless we address these social determinants of health. The Y commends Representatives Bustos, Butterfield, Cole and Mullin for their leadership in forming the Social Determinants of Health Caucus and their commitment to improve coordination across federal departments and agencies, so that more people get the support they need to live their healthiest life," said Kevin Washington, President and CEO, YMCA of the USA.

Economic, environmental and social conditions have a powerful impact on our health and wellness. Stable housing, reliable transportation and access to healthy foods are all factors that can make a difference in the prevention and management of many health conditions like diabetes, asthma and heart disease. Known as the social determinants of health, a focus on these non-medical factors can improve health outcomes and wellbeing.

During the launch, the Congressional Social Determinants of Health Caucus released a Request for Information to gather more details about how different social factors across the country impact communities and spur ideas to advance legislative solutions. Community members are encouraged to submit their experiences by clicking here.

LEARN more about the Social Determinants of Health Caucus here.

BACKGROUND

Representatives Bustos has championed the Social Determinants Accelerator Act, which will help states and communities develop strategies to improve the health and wellbeing of families, especially those participating in Medicaid. The bill would make up to $25 million available to state, local and tribal governments to develop plans to target social determinants that are negatively impacting high-need patients. Additionally, the legislation would provide technical assistance to grantees to help them implement plans and identify federal authorities, opportunities and strategies to tackle health care challenges.

Last Congress, Representative Bustos utilized her role on the House Appropriations Committee to establish and fund a first-of-its-kind $3 million pilot program, modeled after the Social Determinants Accelerator Act. In the Biden Administration's recent budget proposal, $153 million in funding was included for this program established by Representative Bustos.

Last week, Representative Bustos successfully secured the $153 million for the Social Determinants program in the Labor, Health and Human Services funding bill, which passed out the full House Appropriations Committee and heads to the House floor for a vote.

The Social Determinants Accelerator Act also recently passed out of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee after receiving a hearing where eight bipartisan members spoke out in favor of the legislation.

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