Addressing the Economic Impact of Healthcare Disparities

Where the Health Community Should Start Research from KFF estimates that disparities in healthcare amount to approximately $93 billion in excess medical care costs and $42 billion in lost productivity per year, in addition to economic losses due to premature deaths. Health outcomes are not just centralized to local communities, but rather, have a lasting effect on improving the nation’s overall health and economic prosperity. Without healthy citizens, fewer people are available to work, and costs in hospitals rise due to more frequent ER visits.

Kamala Green

In her current position as the Social Drivers of Health Program Manager at National Government Services, Kamala assists with strategic design, implementation and evaluation of social drivers of health initiatives, where she partners to recommend initiatives related to unmet social needs, such as food, housing, legal support and income. Since joining NGS in November 2021, Kamala is instrumental in level setting and shaping the agenda for health equity and the social drivers of health (SDOH), specifically for Medicare.

National Government Services

For more than 50 years, National Government Services (NGS) has been empowering federal healthcare agencies to improve lives and communities. Its core business areas include digital health, providing federal IT solutions and services for healthcare, and business process Solutions. This includes its role as a Medicare contractor for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Part of the Anthem family of businesses, NGS is headquartered in Indianapolis, IN, and employs more than 1,500 associates across the country.