When Healthcare Works for everyone
How accessible care transforms health outcomes for rural residents
AMY BURTON is a regular at Community Health & Wellness Center (CHWC) in Torrington. She initially sought nutrition counseling for weight management following back and ankle surgery; after being diagnosed as prediabetic, she found further support via one-on-one menu planning and twice monthly cooking demonstrations—all with registered dietitian-nutritionist Elizabeth Caruthers. “She went above and beyond to support my journey,” says Barton, who had been traveling to Waterbury to find a provider who accepted Medicaid.
“With HUSKY Health, everything is covered,” says Burton, whose primary care provider is Melanie Mollica, APRN.
Accessibility is a big draw for Burton’s aunt and mother who travel from Bantam and New Preston for primary care. “Community Health is the most affordable option around,” says Burton, pointing to a sliding fee discount available to all individuals, regardless of insurance status, living at or below 200% of federal poverty guidelines.
Beyond zero out-of-pocket expenses, Burton enjoys the convenience. If her MediCab does not arrive on time, she can walk to CHWC in 12 minutes from her West Side neighborhood; local bus service is also available for folks like Burton who do not own cars.
“They are incredibly welcoming and respectful of everyone,” says Burton, who sees folks from every walk of life when she visits Community Health & Wellness.
“Everyone deserves to be healthy,” says Burton, whose lived experience includes being unhoused. “Healthcare is not a privilege, it’s a right.”
Illustration by Michelle Newman.
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