Recent conversations on health in Texas have gone beyond improving access to health care to address the non-medical, root causes of poor health. Access to affordable medical care is vitally important, but it is only 20% of what contributes to a person’s overall health. The remaining 80% is determined by social and economic status, health behaviors, community safety, physical environment, and much more. 

As the state, health care organizations, Medicaid providers, and other stakeholders continue to address non-medical needs, Medicaid enrollees remain absent from many conversations. 

In light of the recent policy momentum created by the release of HHSC NMDOH Action Plan and the passage of HB 1575,  Episcopal Health Foundation (EHF), Treaty Oak Strategies, the Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, Methodist Health Ministries (MHM), and St. David’s Foundation partnered with five Medicaid MCOs  (Community Health Choice, Baylor Scott & White Health Plan, Molina Healthcare, Superior, and United Healthcare) to establish discussion group sessions to ensure the voices of pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries are included in conversations. 

This report summarizes key findings about their perspectives and thoughts on non-medical needs and supports by subject area: Employment and Housing, Transportation, and Food.