In Vermont, the Green Mountain State, there is currently a problem: the 0.431% rate of homelessness, one of the highest in the country.
For unhoused people, health care is a constant uphill hike. These communities are assisted by community health workers who help bridge the gap between marginalized communities and the hospitals and prescriptions they require.
Unfortunately, the state of Vermont cannot pay these essential workers minimum wage, forcing them to find other jobs. This problem is not exclusive to Vermont and can be seen in many other states, meaning these communities that require assistance are not getting the help they need. But there is a way to support the community health workers in these communities.
This is where the draft Community Health Worker, or CHW, Access Act can help. It aims to amend Titles 18 and 19 of the Social Security Act and to increase access to CHW services for Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries. This bill will improve reimbursement for CHW workers in Medicare and support their integration into Medicaid. Having a set amount of funding will improve the care given to communities in need, allow a diversity of aid, allow more connections to other services and allow more education to promote healthy living. Studies on this bill have shown that for every $1 invested, $2.47 is returned, which saves Medicaid $4,200 per beneficiary each year.
This is a critical bill, and it needs your support to call upon our representatives to help our communities in need.
Janna Galligan
Burlington
