Title: Let’s Get It Right: Consistent Measurement of the Drivers of Health
Source: The Commonwealth Fund
Authors: Melinda K. Abrams, Rachel Nuzum, Debbie I. Chang, Rocco Perla
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently established standard definitions and incorporated social drivers of health (DOH) measures in federal health care programs in order to address health inequities. However, this article comments on the inconsistent and incomplete implementation of these definitions and standards across federal, state, and private sector programs. In turn, there has been heightened administrative costs, burden on providers and patients, and persisting disparities. The article urges for CMS to standardize DOH measurement and implementation such as through its new agency-wide initiatives and incentivizing private health plans.
