Advocates allege discriminatory practices at East Boston Neighborhood Health Center

March 15, 2022

Shannon Dooling

Immigrant and civil rights advocates are calling for an investigation into claims of discriminatory medical treatment by health care providers at the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center.

The request filed Tuesday with Attorney General Maura Healey's office and the Department of Public Health outlines nine allegations dating back to 2018 involving immigrants, MassHealth insurance holders and women who say they received substandard care at the health center.

Boston-based nonprofits Centro Presente and Lawyers for Civil Rights said in a statement that an investigation was needed immediately, citing cases in which East Boston Neighborhood Health Center (EBNHC) staff allegedly failed to perform adequate tests and misdiagnosed serious illnesses.

The individuals are concerned their treatment "was due to their race, national origin, sex, and insurance," according to the nonprofits' complaint to the attorney general's office.

“Patients and their families have repeatedly reported substandard, discriminatory treatment at EBNHC, resulting in misdiagnosis, worsened health conditions, and even death," said Patricia Montes, executive director of Centro Presente. "The community has identified the problem and is now prepared to address it head on through legal action," her statement read.

Centro Presente executive director, Patricia Montes, says the East Boston Neighborhood Health Center has delivered substandard care to a number of undocumented immigrants and MassHealth insurance holders. (Shannon Dooling/WBUR)

In a statement, EBNHC said it requested a meeting with Centro Presente and the patients it represents, but said the organization and patients did not agree to a meeting.

“We welcome dialogue with any of our patients regarding their experiences with our organization,” the EBNHC statement said. “We have also proactively reached out to the attorney general’s office to invite a review of any allegation.”

During the presser, advocates said they're "delighted" that the clinic wants to meet, but they want the attorney general and Department of Public Health officials at the table.

A spokesperson for the attorney general's office said the office plans to meet with the families affected and hear their concerns.