Money as Medicine: Beyond the Monetary Value of Cash Assistance Programs

This discussion explores the transformative potential of integrating cash assistance into healthcare settings by reframing economic programs as a form of medicine. Drawing from public health research and real-world models—including the nonprofit Link Health—we argue that addressing social determinants of health through financial interventions yields demonstrated improvements in mental health, disease prevention, and emergency department utilization, among others. We highlight barriers to accessing these benefits and propose policy and clinical integration strategies to bridge healthcare and social services. Through evidence-based analysis, this discussion advocates for embedding cash assistance enrollment within clinical workflows to foster health equity and improve community well-being.