Access to health care versus access to fresh food is a false choice
Madison has found itself grappling with false choices between access to food and access to health care.
As frustrating as the debates may be, one of them has sparked honest, nuanced conversations about the priorities of our community — conversations that have led to promising developments on the city’s south side.
For months, residents of south Madison have been faced with the prospect of losing their only full-service grocery store, following the announcement that SSM Health plans to purchase the Pick ‘n Save at 1312 S. Park St. in order to demolish the property and build a clinic. City officials have said from the start that they will work to fill the gap, but residents are rightfully concerned that any amount of time will pass without ready access to fresh food.
“I don’t have a car, I don’t drive, and it’s so handy to shop here at the store,” Rita O’Neill, 77, told Cap Times reporter Lisa Speckhard Pasque last month.
Read more: https://madison.com/ct/opinion/column/jessie-opoien-access-to-health-care-versus-access-to-fresh/article_60ecbcc0-82a9-540c-a1fb-7ffa3b0153fa.html