Question

What are the major ethical, societal, professional, and legal system-level issues confronting providers, insurers, public policymakers, and organizations regarding the care for low income / homeless population?

Answer 1

Ans) Both the rescue missions and the nonsectarian programs face certain common problems: limited hours (many shelters are closed during the day), dependence on volunteers, limited access to some of the less common medications, limited specialty and ancillary services (e.g., podiatry and dental care).

- There is no single strategy sufficient to completely address or end homelessness. Interventions in housing, health, and income stabilization should be holistically integrated, allowing individuals experiencing homelessness to find their unique path to recovery. Further innovations and strategic interventions beyond the currently accepted evidence-based strategies will likely be required to achieve the goal. Such innovations will require interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration, including coordinated, focused efforts from policymakers, governmental agencies, social services agencies, the health care industry, and researchers.

- Although homeless people are a diverse group, the nature of their life situations and the multiplicity of their needs lead to the conclusion that they would benefit from specific approaches in the provision of health and mental health care services.

- Programs have been targeted to the homeless in general; specific programs have been targeted to certain subpopulations that are delineated by the nature of their health problems, demographic characteristics that necessitate specialized approaches, or their location, such as in rural and suburban areas.

- Even when such specialized services are provided, the coordination of efforts with other existing services is essential. The goal should be to enable homeless people to have access to the range of services that already exist, thereby decreasing their need for specialized services. The ultimate goal is to resolve whatever problems prevent homeless people from becoming domiciled.