Brown introduces new initiative to reduce emergency room visits, taxpayer costs

U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) today joined U.S.with stable housing. Nearly half of them have
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and U.S. Sen. Robertbeen homeless for long periods of time and are
Menendez (D-NJ) to introduce the Reducingfrequent users of costly, crisis health care. We
Emergency Department Utilization throughknow that a one day stay in an Ohio medical
Coordination and Empowerment (REDUCE) Act (S.hospital is about $1,500, whereas one day in
1781), which would address Emergency Roompermanent supportive housing, with access to
(ER) overuse, improve quality of care, and savepreventive healthcare, is less than $35 a day. The
taxpayers' money. The legislation would establishcomprehensive, coordinated benefits created by
pilot programs to better coordinate care forthe REDUCE Act represent the best kind of
frequent ER users.health reform possible."
"Far too many people rely on Emergency Room"By reducing Medicaid costs, Ohio can reallocate
services for routine or primary care," Brown said.critical resources to other programs assisting our
"By strategically expanding outreach services toresidents with the greatest needs," Director of
frequent ER visitors and better coordinating theirthe Ohio Department of Development and Chair
care, we can cut the associated costs toof the Interagency Council on Homelessness and
taxpayers. This initiative takes an important stepAffordable Housing Lisa Patt-McDaniel said.
toward fixing our broken health care system and"Understanding the economic consequences of
improving the quality of care for communities infrequent users of emergency services, we
Ohio and across the country."recently established a Medicaid Workgroup
ER overuse and overcrowding are growingcharged with building partnerships between
problems and pose a health risk to all Americans.Medicaid and Housing. This subgroup of our
Individuals who regularly use ER services oftenInteragency Council on Homelessness and
have chronic medical conditions but lack access toAffordable Housing ensures more effective
a primary care provider or preventive services. Aservices and support for people with disabilities
recent Price Waterhouse Coopers reportand other vulnerable populations."
estimates that $14 billion is spent each year inThe legislation is also endorsed by the American
non-emergency ER visits.Academy of Family Physicians, the National
The REDUCE Act creates a MedicaidAlliance to End Homelessness, the Corporation for
Demonstration Project that promotes targetedSupportive Housing, and the American
individualized care while simultaneously improvingOsteopathic Association.
our nation's health care safety net. Many OhioBrown is working to improve our nation's health
stakeholders and policymakers active in the areacare system. As a member of the U.S. Senate
of Medicaid cost containment and ER diversionHealth, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP)
have expressed support for the legislation.Committee, Brown is an active voice in enacting
"We applaud Senator Brown's leadership inhealth insurance reform that works for middle
recognizing the overlap between thoseclass families and small businesses. He recently led
experiencing homelessness and frequent users of29 of his Senate colleagues in drafting a letter to
expensive health services," Corporation forSenate leadership in support of a public insurance
Supportive Housing Ohio Program Director Sallyoption to increase competitiveness in the
Luken said. "An estimated 20,000 Ohioans are ininsurance market driving down costs, and
need of comprehensive health services coupledimproving quality and affordability of care.