As leaders of Boston-based community health centers, we are deeply concerned about the ongoing discussions in Washington regarding potential Medicaid funding cuts. They pose a serious threat to our patients who rely on community health centers for critical, accessible care every day. Medicaid is essential to their well-being, and any reduction in coverage would be devastating.
Our patients are the same people you encounter in your communities: the mother from Blue Hill Avenue who works multiple jobs and depends on us for care for her child with asthma; the elderly couple in Fields Corner who rely on us for their primary care; the small business owners in Codman Square who choose us for our convenient hours and comprehensive services; the families in Mattapan who rely on our dental clinic for both routine and emergency care; and the South Boston residents who access full eye care services and have their prescriptions filled on-site. Our communities need us more than ever.
Across Boston, more than 245,912 residents depend on community health centers for vital services, including primary care, dental care, behavioral health, and specialty services. Of those, over 42.6 percent rely on MassHealth, our state’s Medicaid program. Any drastic cuts to Medicaid would have a significant impact on our ability to provide care to these underserved populations.
Medicaid also plays a critical role in supporting the local economy. By sustaining our health centers’ comprehensive services, Medicaid helps to drive job growth and saves taxpayer money by reducing unnecessary emergency room visits. In Massachusetts alone, federally qualified health centers save the state approximately $1.5 billion annually by minimizing emergency department use and ensuring proper specialty referrals.
Despite the proven success and importance of community health centers, Congress is considering measures that would severely cut Medicaid, including reducing federal Medicaid matching funds, limiting provider tax revenues, and imposing work requirements and other restrictions on eligibility.
Local leaders and the public recognize that access to healthcare, the preservation of local jobs, and the stability of our economy are all at risk. Cuts to Medicaid and community health centers like ours would jeopardize the entire healthcare system. Medicaid is too vital to cut, and it is crucial that we make our voices heard now before it’s too late.
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Dr. Guy Fish, Codman Square Health Center
Michelle Nadow, DotHouse Health
John O’Hara, Harbor Health
Charles Murphy, Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center
Guale Valdez, Mattapan Community Health Center
Bill Halpin, South Boston Community Health Center
Jay Trivedi, Upham’s Community Care
