Olivia Rondeau writes at the Daily Caller about the latest bizarre policy idea emerging from California.
Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom said that medical doctors should be able to prescribe housing in the same way they prescribe medication to sick people Wednesday during his 2020 State of the State Address.
“Health care and housing can no longer be divorced. After all, what’s more fundamental to a person’s well-being than a roof over their head?” Newsom asked during the address. “Doctors should be able to write prescriptions for housing the same way they do for insulin and antibiotics.” The crowd erupted in applause.
“Why not?” Newsom continued. “That’s the aim of CalAIM, transforming Medi-Cal as we know it, backed by a $695 million budget request to make this real.” …
… California is currently experiencing a simultaneous homelessness crisis and housing shortage. As of January 2019, California had an estimated 151,278 people experiencing homelessness on any given day, according to The U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.
The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released a report in December that showed homelessness is on the rise in the U.S. and that the state of California is the main force driving up the rate.
“Homelessness in California increased by 21,306 people, or 16.4 percent, which is more than the total national increase of every other state combined,” stated HUD in their report.
“As we look across our nation, we see great progress, but we’re also seeing a continued increase in street homelessness along our West Coast where the cost of housing is extremely high,” said HUD Secretary Ben Carson.
