State legislative leaders got an on-the-ground look last week at challenges impacting the delivery of primary health care in underserved communities.
Sen. Cindy F. Friedman and Rep. John J. Lawn Jr., co-chairs of the Legislature’s Joint Committee on Health Care Financing, heard from Greater Lawrence Family Health Center’s leadership, physician residents, pharmacy staff and others July 21.
“GLFHC’s model for family medicine is one of the best in class for delivering compassionate person-centric primary care and I applaud all the doctors, nurses, and care team members at GLFHC for meeting their patients where they are,” Friedman said in a statement released Friday.
Other legislators in attendance were Rep. Frank A. Moran, second assistant majority leader, and Sen. Pavel M. Payano, a committee member. Payano said, “We heard directly from health care leaders and frontline staff about the challenges they face in advancing health equity and supporting the workforce. Their insights made it clear that we must take legislative action to ensure high quality, accessible care for all.”
Greater Lawrence Family Health Center’s Interim President and CEO Steven Paris and Chief Medical Officer Zandra S. Kelley led a conversation on access to care, workforce development and health equity. Michael Curry, president and CEO of the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers, and Diana Erani, chief operating officer of the National Association of Community Health Centers, spoke about the larger impacts of community health on the Commonwealth and the nation.
There was also a roundtable discussion where five physician residents shared their personal experiences training at the Health Center, which has locations in Lawrence, Methuen and Haverhill. Pharmacy Director Ryann Abrams, Vice President of Pharmacy and Pharmacy Residency Director Alicia Mam DaCunha and Danielle McManus, 340B program manager, discussed declining savings from a federal program that allows drug purchases at discounted prices from pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Moran said he appreciated learning how other community health centers in Massachusetts may be able to match the Greater Lawrence Family Health Center’s residency program to “train the next generation of healthcare professionals, as well as how the 340B program can be utilized to support affordable medications for patients in the Commonwealth.”