To the editor:
Massachusetts is a pioneer on the frontier — the frontier of health care reform — and waiting for the rest of the country to catch on.
The House and Senate are committed to health care reform that promises to improve health care for the already insured and likely to provide new coverage for the uninsured. Having near universal coverage reduces visits to the emergency room which is typically the uninsured's main access to health care and very expensive for the states.
Providing individuals with insurance means access to routine primary care, which encourages healthy lifestyles and early treatment of preventable diseases. Greater use of "physician extenders" such as nurse practitioners and physician assistants for preventive services, primary care, education and counseling is anticipated.
Massachusetts is increasing primary care by loan repayment programs for physicians and nurse practitioners who agree to work in community health centers — a program I hope to use after completing the nursing program at the University of Massachusetts Lowell — and requiring state medical schools to graduate more primary care physicians.
Let Massachusetts be a leader in health care reform and hope our success is replicated nationwide.
Allison C. Geissert
Lowell
