In California, a proposed bill aims to expand the services street medicine programs can offer to unhoused individuals. Currently, street medics face restrictions due to insurance requirements, preventing them from providing essential services like specialist referrals and access to medical supplies such as wheelchairs. Advocates argue that these reforms are necessary to address the needs of the unhoused population, which faces higher rates of chronic diseases and mental health issues.
According to LAist, street medicine programs have grown significantly, with more than 70 programs across California, including over a dozen in Los Angeles County. The county is home to the largest unsheltered population in the nation, with over 47,000 people living outdoors. Brett Feldman, director of the University of Southern California’s street medicine program, highlighted the challenges faced by street medics under current rules. “When I see them on the street, I’m not their assigned primary care provider, and I can’t order basic things for them,” he said.
The proposed legislation, Assembly Bill 543, would allow street medics to provide necessary care based on medical necessity, regardless of primary care provider assignment. The bill, which passed unanimously through the state Assembly, is scheduled for a state Senate appropriation committee hearing on August 29.
Opponents of the bill express concerns about the potential costs, especially given California’s current budget challenges. However, advocates emphasize the importance of providing comprehensive care to the unhoused population to reduce their reliance on emergency services and improve health outcomes.
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