HealthLinc in East Chicago, both the Harbor and Chicago Avenue locations, means so much to myself and my family. When you walk in, you’re treated like a human being. The doctors, nurses, and staff are upbeat, informative, professional, and kind. They don’t judge you for your job status, your insurance, or your bank account. They focus on one thing: taking care of people. As someone who is unemployed for the first time since I was 15 years old, and diabetic, their sliding fee scale has been a lifeline. They base what you pay on your income, so even when you’re out of work you can still see a provider, manage your diabetes, and get your meds from the pharmacy without being crushed by the bill. HealthLinc East Chicago is exactly the kind of model we should be using to build a universal healthcare system in this country, Bull Moose style. Community-based clinics in every neighborhood, sliding-scale fees so no one is turned away, and a team that treats the whole person, not just the chart. Marie, Jeremy, Erica, and everyone whose name I might forget but whose kindness I will never forget: thank you. You’re showing us what healthcare in America can look like when we put people first. This is the kind of system I want to fight for, not just for me, but for every working family in our community and across the country!
