Our comprehensive review and meta- analysis of these experiments find suggestive evidence of health benefits associated with investments in early life , income support , and health insurance interventions .
Housing and neighborhood trials had no effect on the outcomes included in the meta-analyses .
A positive effect of the trial on its primary socioeconomic outcome was associated with higher odds of reporting health improvements .
Early life , income , and health insurance interventions have the potential to improve health .
Policy Points Social policies might not only improve economic well-being , but also health .
Health policy experts have therefore advocated for investments in social policies both to improve population health and potentially reduce health system costs .
Since the 1960s , a large number of social policies have been experimentally evaluated in the United States .
Some of these experiments include health outcomes , providing a unique opportunity to inform evidence -based policymaking .
CONTEXT Insurers and health care providers are investing heavily in nonmedical social interventions in an effort to improve health and potentially reduce health care costs .
The Effects of Health Care Benefits on Health Care Use and Health: A Randomized Trial for Disability Insurance Beneficiaries
Background : Under current law , most Social Security Disability Insurance ( SSDI ) beneficiaries are not eligible for Medicare until 29 months after the Social Security Administration determines the onset of their disability . During this waiting period , > 1 in 5 lacks health insurance . This study investigated the effects of providing health care benefits on the health , employment , and other services of uninsured beneficiaries . Methods : New SSDI beneficiaries without health insurance were r and omly assigned to receive health care benefits , health care benefits plus additional supports , or a control group . Results : Compared with a control group , those provided health care benefits  used more health care , had fewer unmet medical needs , spent less out of pocket on health care , and reported improved health . In addition , those provided the additional supports were more likely to look for work , but the supports did not affect work or SSDI benefits at this very early period . Conclusions : The results provide rigorous evidence that health care benefits can increase health care use and health outcomes . Longer-term follow-up is needed to fully assess the program ’s effects on its ultimate benefits and costs , including its long-term effects on health , employment , and benefit receipt
Our comprehensive review and meta- analysis of these experiments find suggestive evidence of health benefits associated with investments in early life , income support , and health insurance interventions .
Housing and neighborhood trials had no effect on the outcomes included in the meta-analyses .
A positive effect of the trial on its primary socioeconomic outcome was associated with higher odds of reporting health improvements .
Early life , income , and health insurance interventions have the potential to improve health .
Policy Points Social policies might not only improve economic well-being , but also health .
Health policy experts have therefore advocated for investments in social policies both to improve population health and potentially reduce health system costs .
Since the 1960s , a large number of social policies have been experimentally evaluated in the United States .
Some of these experiments include health outcomes , providing a unique opportunity to inform evidence -based policymaking .
CONTEXT Insurers and health care providers are investing heavily in nonmedical social interventions in an effort to improve health and potentially reduce health care costs .