Hello, 

By many measures, Massachusetts has some of the best health care in the country. About 97 percent of residents have health insurance. We have fewer breast and colon cancer deaths per 100,000 people than other states. More adults and children here can access dental care. Our infant mortality rate is well below the national average.  

And yet the stories of what’s not working – a crisis in the primary care system, the closure of maternity units, long waits to find a mental health provider, the rising cost of premiums – serve as a reminder that our health system isn’t really working for everyone. Massachusetts may be home to some of the most cutting-edge medical research institutions and best hospitals in the world, but for many that care feels like it’s a world away.   

Today, CommonWealth Beacon is launching a monthlong project focusing on the issues Massachusetts residents face in accessing health care. We’re taking a look at a variety of different barriers – cost, geographic, and administrative to name just a few – and bringing together voices from across the Commonwealth. 

This morning, we published a first-person essay by Kendra Winner, whose son suffered a traumatic brain injury. Kendra shares with us the byzantine process of getting coverage for the medical care her son’s doctors say he needs. Over the next four weeks, we’ll have stories about increasing ER wait times and what they say about the state of primary care in Massachusetts, an in-depth look at where medical centers are disappearing, what happens when a hospital closes, and the view from community health centers. 

We also want to hear from you. Last week, we asked you to share your stories about navigating the health care system, the barriers you’ve encountered, and the problems you see that policymakers can address. Thank you to everyone who responded. If you’d like to participate, there’s still time. Simply click on the link below.  

With gratitude, 

Laura Colarusso

Editor, CommonWealth Beacon

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