A recent article highlighted the challenges Simmons University faces with its move to the new Living and Learning Center (LLC). Concerns have arisen about the university’s disorganization and how it will manage student health services in the new space.
In the 2024 fiscal year, the Student Health Center recorded 2,573 visits, showing that students rely heavily on these services. As logistics around the move unfold, a burning question lingers: How will healthcare services be managed in the LLC?
Laura Brink-Pisinski, Vice President of University Real Estate and Facilities Management, hinted that the university might explore options like a hospital partnership. However, she didn’t mention the most obvious choice—outsourcing to a healthcare provider.
Other institutions in the Colleges of the Fenway have turned to Carbon Health for student health services. Yet, just a few months ago, Carbon Health filed for bankruptcy, racking up over $100 million in debt. Given their financial struggles, aligning with Carbon Health may not be the best path for Simmons, especially when the university itself has nearly $276 million in debt.
Despite these financial challenges, independent audits have not shown any corruption but did highlight potential weaknesses in Simmons’ compliance controls. If the university decides to rely on Carbon Health in the new LLC, serious doubts arise regarding the quality and availability of care.
Currently, the Carbon Health clinic serving other Colleges of the Fenway is located at the MassArt Treehouse. Since fall 2023, it has been the go-to for urgent care and immunizations. Yet, Simmons students like Kayleigh Houle still depend on the campus health center, concerned about future care options.
Houle, a senior in the physical therapy program, has been a regular at the health center for allergy shots. She expressed her worries: “I don’t love the idea at all… as much as I joke and call the health center my number one enemy, it’s extremely valuable.” Recently, she had to switch from shots to less effective allergy drops due to a lack of available care at the center.
Insurance won’t cover these drops, meaning Houle now has to pay out-of-pocket for treatment that was once free. She also shared her unease about potentially heading to the Treehouse for care. With an “urgent care feel,” she fears she won’t receive the same level of accessible, straightforward care in the new arrangement.
Accessibility needs to be a priority for Simmons, especially with such a significant project. Students deserve easy access to healthcare without the added stress of long waits or inconvenient travel.
In a recent survey by the American College Health Association, 87% of students reported feeling stressed due to healthcare accessibility on campus. This raises an important point: ensuring that healthcare services remain on campus is not just beneficial—it’s essential for student well-being.
As Simmons rethinks its health service strategy, it must prioritize responsiveness and accessibility to best serve its students’ needs.
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