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OP-ED: The ethnic health care disparity
by Gabriel Verzino
Heart of the Matter
Op-Ed | 11/20/07
Posted online at 10:04 PM EST on 11/19/07
/ Last updated at 7:34 PM EST on 11/19/07
The city of Boston has one of the most diverse populations in the United States. A variety of cultures adds a wonderful depth and complexity to the entire city. Our city has also successfully provided some of the finest research facilities and teaching hospitals to treat patients every year. But if one were to look at these components together, one would find less than fantastic results: A majority of ethnic populations have been unable to obtain the quality health care that Boston could provide.
Recent socioeconomic studies and hospital assessments have revealed that there are increasing disparities between ethnic populations in the quality of health care, particularly within inner-city communities. These groups, particularly the elderly and working poor, have faced an incredible obstacle in receiving basic treatment associated not only with unaffordable health fees, but also with language barriers and limited flexibility in Medicaid programs that have made the management of effective treatment, on behalf of the providers, basically impossible.
In an effort to assess the extent of the issue, the Massachusetts State House hosted The Health Disparities Action Network earlier last month to allow citizens an opportunity to voice their concerns about the continuance of prejudice and biases that were leading to misunderstandings and clinical errors. The greater objective that morning was to persuade state representatives to take action to protect the working poor and those individuals not qualified for Medicaid by providing them access to health care.
The State-House was filled with hundreds of physicians, politicians and residents. As I walked curiously through the lines of people waiting to get coffee, I immediately felt from the eager and frustrated expressions on people's faces a sense of urgency and a desire to change. I accidentally bumped into one man. We both apologized, and extending his arm for a handshake, he greeted me with a warm toothy smile.
Recent socioeconomic studies and hospital assessments have revealed that there are increasing disparities between ethnic populations in the quality of health care, particularly within inner-city communities. These groups, particularly the elderly and working poor, have faced an incredible obstacle in receiving basic treatment associated not only with unaffordable health fees, but also with language barriers and limited flexibility in Medicaid programs that have made the management of effective treatment, on behalf of the providers, basically impossible.
In an effort to assess the extent of the issue, the Massachusetts State House hosted The Health Disparities Action Network earlier last month to allow citizens an opportunity to voice their concerns about the continuance of prejudice and biases that were leading to misunderstandings and clinical errors. The greater objective that morning was to persuade state representatives to take action to protect the working poor and those individuals not qualified for Medicaid by providing them access to health care.
The State-House was filled with hundreds of physicians, politicians and residents. As I walked curiously through the lines of people waiting to get coffee, I immediately felt from the eager and frustrated expressions on people's faces a sense of urgency and a desire to change. I accidentally bumped into one man. We both apologized, and extending his arm for a handshake, he greeted me with a warm toothy smile.
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