Health care providers know that diet, exercise, education, a good job and a stable home promote good health. The Oregon Health Policy Board may require the state’s coordinated care organizations, or CCOs, spend more on those so-called social determinants of health.

But where does the job end for medical professionals? Should the health care sector be expected to solve housing, poverty and racism? They are not the health care sector’s area of expertise.

Doctors and CCOs have an undeniable role and responsibility to the whole patient. They can create connections to improve patients’ lives and make policy recommendations, but they shouldn’t be required to direct dollars to oversee changes in society. That’s a job for elected officials.

CCOs are the regional organizations that deliver health care to the state’s low-income people. The state has a lot of control over how CCOs operate. The state controls the money they get and is rethinking their contracts. Spending on social determinants of health is one of many issues being debated by the health policy board.

There is no question that there is a need for investments to address social determinants. Some patients face incredible barriers. If they don’t have a job or a place to live, there’s far less hope patients are going to be eating a great diet, getting good exercise, picking up prescriptions or following a doctor’s instructions.

Medical professionals need a place to turn when they know a patient needs social services. They need a place to turn to express where they see their patients are experiencing gaps in services.

But should those services be provided by CCOs? Or should CCOs decide where state money should be spent on such services? No.