“When patients are unable to access routine primary care, the emergency room becomes the default. But that comes at a high cost, both for patients and for the healthcare system. An emergency room visit averages $1,200, compared with $150 to $300 for a primary care visit.”
In a May 21, 2026 op-ed in The Buffalo News, CEO Dr. Allana Krolikowski names a hard truth: decades of segregation, disinvestment, and systemic racism have shaped a city where your zip code can determine your life span, your overall health, and whether you can access the care you need.
“In these same neighborhoods, there is a higher prevalence of high blood pressure and diabetes. In 14211, 45% of residents have high blood pressure, compared with 34% for the county. In 14204, 21% of residents were diagnosed with diabetes compared with just 11% for the county.”
These are the very zip codes where Jericho Road shows up.
For far too long, our healthcare system has been too expensive for all of us and out of reach for many of us. The solution is clear: we must invest in primary care. Primary care addresses the root causes of illness, prevents manageable conditions from becoming crises, and delivers better outcomes at a significantly lower cost.
At a moment when millions are at risk of losing coverage as H.R. 1 cuts take effect, New York has the opportunity to stand in the gap. By passing the Primary Care Investment Act, state leaders can strengthen access to care, without new cost to the State or taxpayers. This policy simply requires insurance companies to invest more of their existing resources into primary care, where it has the greatest impact.
Community health centers like Jericho Road depend on this kind of investment to serve everyone, regardless of income, insurance status, or background. And when primary care is strong, the entire healthcare system works better: fewer emergencies, fewer hospitalizations, and lower overall costs.
With just one week remaining in the New York State legislative session, the time to act is now. Call your State Assembly Member and Senator today and urge them to pass the Primary Care Investment Act (S1634A/A1915A).
Read the whole Buffalo News article here: Why Buffalo Needs the Primary Care Investment Act
