Why a health insurance company entered the housing market

UnitedHealth's big push into housing isn't charity. The company derives benefits from it, too, including tax credits.

But Kate Rubin, vice president of social responsibility for UnitedHealth Group, says the real payoff is longer term.

"Studies show that without stable homes people are sick more often," says Rubin. "There's more undiagnosed illness and people are more likely to seek care in emergency rooms."

That's expensive for insurance companies, for patients and for the rest of us, who pay the price in higher premiums and taxes.

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