The city's public health history dates back to the creation of the Boston Public Health Commission, the nation's first ever health department which has made a name for itself through accessible, high quality, and community-based health care services regardless of the patient's capacity to pay. The system is noted to protect, preserve and promote the health and comfort of the people, particularly those who are most fragile. The commission works synergistically with area hospitals, community health centers and community-based organizations to promote access to health services for the culturally and economically diverse communities of the city. Here, a fairly unique and closely watched approach to healthcare came with the implementation of the Healthcare Reform Act in 2006 which obliged all Boston residents and expatriates to have insurance coverage or face tax penalties.
Many private insurance companies in the city fit the requirements of expatriates, tourists and other foreign nationals, with some providing comprehensive coverage for local and international health insurance for individuals and families. One has the freedom to choose any physician, clinic and hospital.
Companies provide a range of coverage from maternal to chronic conditions and even dental cases. The patient simply has to present at least two identification cards, a birth certificate and a health background to give the medical team directions on which actions to take.
As it is, the city of Boston is not experiencing any lack of medical practitioners but is, in fact, fully empowered by highly competent staff of surgeons, nurses, dentists and others. The city is also home to one of the largest pediatric centers in the United States, the Children's Hospital of Boston. This facility offers a complete range of health care services for children, toddlers and infants through twenty-one years of age and even older. This hospital is also known to provide the highest quality of pediatric health care and is a major pediatric referral center where the welfare of children and their families are deemed important in the progress of local communities.
Expats entering Boston or anywhere in Massachusetts are expected to have received vaccines for the Yellow fever, typhoid, Japanese encephalitis, Hepatitis B, Measles, Mumps, Rubella, and Tetanus-diphtheria. It is better to visit one's personal physician to have general check-up, four to six weeks before departure.
An expat will also greatly benefit from a knowledge of the city's emergency hotlines such as the American Red Cross Disaster Line (800) 564-1234; for the Boston Fire Emergency and Boston Police Emergency dial 911; Boston Medical Center-Emergency for Adults, one can call (617) 414-4075; Boston Medical Center-Emergency for children (617) 414-4991; Emergency Storm Center (617) 635-3050; and the Mayor's 24-Hour Hotline (617) 635-4500.
Boston's health care landscape is generally adequate to address each native Bostonian's or expat's needs. There is room for improvement and there are more technologies to incorporate into the system. Yet, as it is, everybody has been receiving a fair share of care for their health in as far as the city's public health programs are concerned.
More Expat Resources
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