Veterans Affairs, Elderly, Youth, Health, Housing & Disability Issues Committee Meeting - June 17, 2025
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Veterans Affairs, Elderly, Youth, Health, Housing & Disability Issues Committee Meeting - June 17, 2025
The committee convened at 6:00 PM on June 17, 2025, in City Hall Council Chambers. Present were Councilors Maria Giesta, Derek Baptist, Lodge, Shane Burgo (Council President), Sean Oliva, and Brian Gomes. The chair read letters from Councillor Choquet (unable to attend) and Councillor Moran (delayed due to another meeting). The meeting focused primarily on a briefing on the national primary care crisis by representatives from Primary Care for All Americans (PC4AA) and local health providers. Items 2 through 6 were addressed collectively by waiving reading and referring them to the full City Council for no further action.
Item 1 - Briefing: Primary Care Crisis and PC4AA
The committee heard a presentation from Cheryl Bartlett (CEO, New Bedford Community Health), Dr. Michael Rocha (Cardiologist, Hawthorne Medical), Helena DeSilva Hughes (President, Immigrants Assistance Center), and Dr. Michael Fine (Director, Primary Care for All Americans).
Cheryl Bartlett noted that New Bedford Community Health serves 22,000–25,000 patients annually but has declined from 8–10 primary care physicians to only one. Most primary care is now delivered by nurse practitioners and physician assistants. She described the situation as a public health crisis and emphasized the need for local action.
Dr. Michael Rocha defined primary care as the first line of defense and stressed that lack of access leads to more emergency room visits and higher costs. He noted that many patients present to specialists too late due to lack of primary care.
Helena DeSilva Hughes reported a waiting list of 4,000 individuals for primary care physicians and that Hawthorne Medical is no longer accepting new patients. She highlighted the anxiety among elderly and non-English speaking clients.
Dr. Michael Fine described PC4AA’s national scope and stated that only 43% of American adults have a meaningful primary care relationship, meaning 57% lack adequate prevention. He outlined local initiatives: a primary care report, task forces on pipelines/pathways, loan repayment programs, and establishing a residency program in New Bedford. The nationwide shortage is estimated at 40,000–60,000 primary care providers, with only 4,400 new providers entering the field annually against 10,000 retiring.
Discussion
Council President Burgo asked how the council could assist. Dr. Fine suggested supporting local fundraising efforts and considering passage of a resolution similar to those from Central Falls and Scituate, RI. Councillor Oliver expressed concern that urging residents to get primary care without sufficient capacity could be counterproductive. Speakers acknowledged the challenge and proposed collaborating on a resolution that focuses on supporting state-level efforts to increase primary care access. Councilors Giesta and others thanked the presenters.
Items 2-6
Items 2 through 6, which addressed access issues at the Hillman Street complex, Melville Towers tenant concerns, HUD senior housing rules, and senior housing quality-of-life issues, were grouped and referred to the full City Council for no further action after a motion to waive reading was approved.
Key Outcomes
- The committee voted unanimously to report Item 1 (the briefing motion) to the full City Council for no further action, having satisfied its purpose.
- The committee voted unanimously to waive reading for Items 2 through 6 and refer them to the full City Council for no further action.
- The meeting adjourned shortly after the conclusion of the presentation.
Meeting Transcript
Because he was walking down with the other out of the after the judge. I know you get to be right on the interest of that tolerance. So we're going so long. So far one to be three four things. Oh, for the round. Yeah. But I have one summer. I guess we have to put it in the back. That's the reason why. But we'll see what happens. I think we can have the corner. Welcome everybody and thank you for coming. It is 62, and we are at the Committee on Veterans Affairs, Elderly, Youth, Health, Housing, and Disability Issues. In the chambers, we have Council from Ward 2, Maria Giesta, Council from Ward 4, Derek Baptist, Councillor Lodge, and Council President, Shane Burgo, and Council from Ward 3, Sean Oliva. Do we have anything to read in the record? Oh, oh, that's right. No, this meeting is being live streamed and recorded. City Council and Committee meetings can be viewed on the City of New Bedford's homepage under quick links, then meetings. Thank you. City Council Gomes is present. Oh, oh my good. He makes the five six. That's right. And also Council Gomes. Thank you for coming. I'm sorry, Counselor. I know you must have been hiding behind that chair. I have two letters to read into the record, and this one is from Council Choquet uh saying that he's unable to attend this meeting due to work-related commitment. Second letters from Council Moran, who said she will be late because she's at the grandparents raising grandchildren's organization meeting. Motion made by Council Oliver, second by Council Burgo. All in favor say aye. Aye. Oppose the ayes have it. Item number one is a written motion, Council President Virgo requesting that representatives from primary care for all Americans, PC4 AA come before the Committee on Veterans Affairs, Elderly, Youth, Health, Housing, and Disability Issues to provide a briefing on their work and discuss how their initiative could benefit the residents of New Bedford. It was referred here on March 13th, 2025. Now before you motion receive and place on file. Second. Moved by Council Burgo, second by Council Oliver. All in favor say aye. Aye. Oppose the ayes have it. So moved? Second. Motion made by Council Giesta, second by Council Burgo. All in favor say aye. Aye. Opposed the ayes have it. Thank you. Okay. So one is properly before us, Council Burgle.
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