The state of California is investing $6 billion into its Medi-Cal program to target community issues that traditionally fall under social services.
The move expands Medi-Cal's reach beyond traditional healthcare and further into social determinants of health, like homelessness, according to the Los Angeles Times.
Funding will target those who do not have secure housing, children or older adults with complicated health conditions, and those who are seen as at-risk to occupy jails, nursing homes or crisis centers.
State health advisers view the move as a viable strategy to combat California's homlessness crisis.
However, opponents of the initiative say it takes state and federal funding and applies it in a way that won't support the majority of Medi-Cal beneficiaries, according to the Los Angeles Times. Others are also skeptical of managed care organizations, which will be tasked with judging who to offer new benefits to.