Iott testifies to Michigan House committee about 211 community resource hotline

In testimony before the Michigan House Subcommittee on Human Services, Bradley Iott, Ph.D., M.P.H, M.S., research assistant professor of internal medicine, discussed how partnerships between health systems and Michigan 211—a free, confidential service that connects residents with local health, human services, and community resources — can help address patients’ non-medical needs and improve health outcomes.

Speaking as a non-medical care integration expert for MSHIELD, a statewide initiative that utilizes community partnerships to improve health, Iott explained that barriers such as lack of transportation, housing instability, food insecurity, and utility costs can worsen health conditions and increase costly emergency department visits and hospitalizations. He described how MSHIELD integrates Michigan 211’s technology and social services navigation into health care practices across Michigan to connect patients with community resources, including through a pilot program in oncology clinics and planned expansion to additional care settings such as obstetrics and diabetes care.

Iott emphasized that 211 serves as critical infrastructure for health care providers by helping patients access support services, improving care outcomes, and reducing health care spending, while offering a strong return on investment for taxpayers.

A recording of the hearing is available here (Iott’s testimony begins at 53:05).