The House of Mercy on How New York State Is Using Medicaid to Keep People Housed, Fed and Out of the ER

Brian Keene, Director of Facilities and Special Projects, and Whitney Snead, Director of Development at the House of Mercy, join the show to talk about a major new Medicaid program that is quietly changing the way Rochester's most vulnerable residents get help and why eligible people need to act now.Brian explains how the New York State Social Care Network came to be, why the House of Mercy was one of the first organizations the state approached to participate and what nearly $2 million in direct financial assistance distributed in just two years has looked like on the ground, from rental assistance to utility support to moving costs and security deposits for people transitioning out of shelter into housing.Whitney reminds listeners that while the Social Care Network serves Medicaid members specifically, the House of Mercy's doors are open to all people regardless of insurance status, and that mission of connection and care has not changed in over 40 years.If you are a Medicaid or Medicaid managed care member, getting screened into the Social Care Network should happen as soon as possible. You can walk into the House of Mercy, download the Find Help app at the Apple or Google Play Store, self-refer at forwardleadingindependentprovider.org or learn more about the House of Mercy itself at houseofmercy.org.