Without social services, consumers utilize health care providers more frequently, although their need may be for psychosocial services related to their health condition. This inbalance can be expected to incease costs and inefficiency. NASW is asserting that businesses and governments which purchase managed care for employees and covered groups must expect the inclusion of social services in their contracts with M.C.O's. Social workers, in recognizing the social components of health care, build the networks of service between health care organizations and community based services required to maintain family health. These linkages have been damaged as hospitals have downsized and care has shifted to primary care organizations.
Social work is essential to rebuilding and enhancing the health care delivery system.
The social work coalition initiative will increase public awareness of a growing gap in health care services so that policy can be changed to include the missing social services.