University of Texas Dell Medical School researchers are building new blockchain technology to devise a better way for people experiencing homelessness to have their identity verified and shared by healthcare providers, according to a May 10 Austin American-Statesman report.
The research project aims to improve access to healthcare and social services resources for people experiencing homelessness in Austin, Texas. One-third of people entering the HHS system in Austin do not have a basic identity document, a previous Dell Medical School research study found.
Using blockchain, the researchers are devising a way for the homeless population to have their identity verified once by a provider and then shared throughout the entire HHS network. The tech would verify a person's identity every time they check into a medical or service provider so they wouldn't have to repeatedly show a photo ID.