ROCKINGHAM-I am concerned and dismayed over the recent decision by the management of North Star Health to close the Health Center at Bellows Falls.
This action seems to prioritize convenience for a select few while leaving the most vulnerable members of our community without access to essential health care services. In doing so, the decision is contributing to the creation of a health care desert that will undoubtedly have severe consequences for the residents of Bellows Falls and the surrounding areas.
By closing the Health Center, North Star Health is depriving local residents of critical, life-saving services. For many in the area, especially those with limited access to transportation or those struggling with chronic conditions, the health center was a lifeline. Now, they are left without affordable and timely health care, which will place additional strain on other already overburdened facilities and systems.
At the same time, it seems that the Edgar May Health & Recreation Center in Springfield is thriving, with amenities like lap swimming and pre-pickleball programs available to those who have the means to take advantage of them.
While fitness and recreation are undoubtedly important, it raises the question of why the priorities of North Star Health seem so misaligned. Why is the well-being of a privileged few being supported, while essential health care services are being stripped from those in dire need?
This decision also calls into question the broader approach to health and wellness in our communities.
Health is not just about recreation or leisure activities but about ensuring that everyone has access to the care and support they need to survive and thrive. The choice to maintain programs that primarily benefit an elite group while abandoning essential services for the larger population is troubling and shortsighted.
I urge North Star Health to reconsider this decision and work toward a solution that serves the needs of all residents, regardless of their social status or ability to pay.
Micheal P. Smith
Rockingham
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