The evolving landscape of health-related social needs

In this Under the Same Sky episode, host Abner Mason welcomed June Simmons, president and CEO of Partners in Care Foundation, to discuss the evolving landscape of health-related social needs (HRSNs) and the profound impact of aligning various stakeholders in healthcare. June, a trailblazer in the field of social care, shared her journey, insights, and the mission behind Partners in Care Foundation — a nonprofit organization dedicated to bridging social care and healthcare to address the social determinants of health and equity disparities affecting diverse, underserved, and vulnerable populations.

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Abner opened by asking June about her journey in founding the Partners in Care Foundation and her focus on social needs within healthcare. June shared that her background as a social worker inspired her to bridge gaps in the healthcare system, especially for vulnerable populations. Her experiences underscored how unmet social needs, such as access to appropriate home care and support systems, could lead to negative outcomes like unnecessary nursing home placements. These experiences fueled her mission to create a more integrated care system that emphasized community-based support as an alternative to institutionalized care. Through Partners in Care, she aimed to create sustainable change by addressing these gaps, aligning health and social care resources, and transforming how funds are allocated for better outcomes.

June emphasized the role of community-based organizations (CBOs) in delivering social care. She highlighted initiatives that have shown success in reducing healthcare costs and improving patient experiences. One of their earliest successes involved helping Kaiser Permanente establish a home-based palliative care benefit, which improved patient experiences and cut costs by 30% in the last year of life. This success underscored the effectiveness of addressing social needs in combination with medical care to achieve better health outcomes. Despite challenges, June believes that CBOs are essential partners in providing social care because of their community presence and trust. However, she also noted the need for robust support systems, such as community care hubs, to enable CBOs to scale and meet the contracting requirements of healthcare payers.

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Historical divide between clinical and social care

June noted that unlike other developed countries, the US spends far less on social care relative to healthcare. The US healthcare system has traditionally been siloed, with a stronger focus on clinical treatment over social care — illustrated by the disparity in funding for disease treatment versus preventive social support. This disconnect often leads to missed opportunities for more effective, holistic care. Yet, recent policy initiatives, such as California’s CalAIM program, an initiative within the state’s Medicaid program that encourages integration between clinical and social services, are pushing for integrated models that bridge this gap.

June also discussed the current shift towards innovation, with tech and venture capital increasingly entering the social care space. This influx of new players has introduced exciting opportunities but also potential conflicts around funding, roles, and responsibilities. June argued for a collaborative approach, where technology supports social care rather than displacing it, and emphasized the value of co-designing solutions with diverse stakeholders.

As Abner and June concluded their conversation, they discussed the opportunities and challenges in this pivotal moment for healthcare transformation. Abner asked June if she felt optimistic about the future, given the fragmentation of current systems and the various interests at play. June responded that while change is challenging, she is “determined and hopeful.” The potential to create meaningful, sustainable impact drives her work, and she believes that with a collaborative approach, it’s possible to build a healthcare system that truly supports every individual’s health and well-being.