Work

Removing Barriers to Government Benefits: Link Health’s Role in Advancing Health Equity Through Expanded Enrollment

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives. To evaluate Link Health’s role in improving federal benefit program enrollment by analyzing application trends and impact from 2022-2024. Methods. Link Health connects eligible populations to federal benefits through in-person and digital ethods. Using data from clinics in Massachusetts and Texas and digital sign-ups, we analyze enrollment trends, funding disbursed, and demographics. Results. From 2022-2024, Link Health supported 2,362 applicants, disbursing over $2.8 million to eligible families. Application methods differed significantly by language (𝛸2=97.4, P<0.001, v=0.4), age (W=589819, P=0.03, r=0.05), state (𝛸2=11.5, P<0.001, v=0.1), and race (𝛸2=138.1, P<0.001). Conclusions. Link Health’s hybrid approach and community partnerships may reduce barriers and optimize benefit enrollment, supporting marginalized communities across several health determinants. In the context of diminishing federal support and the postpandemic benefits cliff era, organizations like Link Health are critical to help individuals access resources. Policy Implications. Targeted, community-based digital enrollment models like Link Health’s could be applied to enhance access to vital resources across the country.

Source: ConductScience Journal

DOI: 10.55157/csj.v1i2.02

Authors: Reese Green, Timothy Scheinert, Sudarshan Krishnamurthy, Nicole Nyamongo, Steven Lauterwasser, Alister Martin