Many people in low income communities in Boston struggle to access healthcare due to high upfront costs. Even when clinics are available, the patients are often required to pay high fees before even receiving treatment. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, “...studies indicate that cost is a major barrier for many, with families in high-cost states like Massachusetts often cutting back on necessities to afford premiums” This quote shows that this issue is not isolated, it is affecting people across the country, especially the ones that live in low income communities in high-cost states. 

In areas of Boston like Dorchester and Roxbury, there is limited access to affordable healthcare clinics. The Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that, “delaying healthcare increases the risk of life-threatening emergencies, untreated chronic conditions, and premature death.” When people cannot afford care upfront, smaller health problems can quickly build upon themselves, become serious and be more expensive to treat. This can lead to worsening health conditions, higher medical costs long term, and increased reliance on emergency rooms for simple issues that should have been treated sooner. 

I am calling on Massachusetts state officials, the city leaders of Boston, and the local healthcare providers to reduce or eliminate high upfront costs at clinics in low income neighborhoods. We must have increased funding for low-cost and sliding scale clinics. Healthcare is a basic necessity, not a privilege. If we want healthier communities and a more efficient healthcare system, as a society we need to make healthcare accessible when people need it, not when they can afford it.