A New Model of Healthcare for the Homeless - Dr. Michael Hochman, Inaugural CEO of SCAN's Homeless Medical Group Initiative

As California’s crisis of people experiencing homelessness continues to deepen, a major player in the state’s healthcare system is stepping up with a new approach to providing them with the healthcare services they need. “Homeless patients so often have distrust of the healthcare system,” observes Dr. Michael Hochman, who is leading SCAN’s Homeless Medical Group Initiative. “You've got to re-establish that trust to really be able to help them.” Dr. Hochman has long found himself drawn to caring for the underserved, and loves the feeling of watching his patients' lives get back on track. To provide effective care, he argues, doctors need to meet patients where they are, which in some cases may be a street corner or under a bridge. Tune in to this episode of Raise the Line to hear him talk with host Dr. Rishi Desai about what’s behind SCAN’s approach and the challenges of providing mental health and substance use services on the street. Learn why Dr. Hochman believes in loosening drug regulations, greater flexibility in the use of healthcare dollars for health-related social services, and higher reimbursement rates for groups caring for high-risk patients. Plus, hear his advice for students and his view on the need to radically rethink how we deliver care.

Raise the Line · Dr. Michael Hochman, Dr. Rishi Desai