For more than 95 years, the United Way of Greater Nashua has worked alongside our neighbors to build a stronger, healthier community. Every day, we bring together nonprofits, healthcare providers, businesses, volunteers, and community leaders to help people access the resources they need to thrive. That work has taught us an important lesson: when people have clear information, they are better equipped to make decisions that are right for themselves and their families.
Over the past year alone, our investments and partnerships have helped thousands of local residents access services that address challenges ranging from housing instability and food insecurity to behavioral health and healthcare access. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, helping people understand the options available to them is part of building a healthier and more informed community.
Recently, I joined more than 40 nonprofit leaders from across southern New Hampshire for a discussion about the needs we see every day among the individuals and families we serve. One topic that surfaced repeatedly was confusion surrounding freestanding emergency rooms and how they differ from both urgent care centers and traditional hospital emergency departments.
That conversation was prompted in part by the opening of a freestanding emergency room on Amherst Street in Nashua. While many residents may see a facility that appears similar to an urgent care center, the services provided and the costs associated with those services can be very different.
A freestanding emergency room is licensed and equipped to provide emergency-level care. That means patients are generally billed at emergency room rates rather than urgent care rates. For many families, understanding that distinction before an emergency arises can help avoid confusion during an already stressful situation.
It is also important to understand that freestanding emergency rooms are different from full-service hospital emergency departments, such as those operated by St. Joseph Hospital and Southern New Hampshire Health. While they can diagnose and treat many emergency conditions, they do not offer the full range of hospital services under one roof. If a patient requires surgery, inpatient admission, or specialized treatment, a transfer to a hospital may be necessary.
For patients and families, that can mean additional time, additional transportation arrangements, and potentially receiving ongoing care at a location farther from home. These are not reasons to avoid any particular healthcare option. Rather, they are factors people deserve to understand when considering where to seek care.
At United Way of Greater Nashua, we see firsthand how healthcare decisions are connected to many other aspects of a person's life. Transportation, family supports, finances, access to follow-up care, and community resources all play a role in health outcomes. That's why we work so closely with healthcare providers, nonprofits, and community organizations throughout our region to strengthen the safety net that supports local residents.
Our nonprofit healthcare partners have long been an important part of that network, investing in community health initiatives, collaborating with local service providers, and helping address needs that extend beyond medical treatment. Those connections matter, particularly for individuals facing complex challenges or ongoing health concerns.
As new healthcare models emerge in Nashua and throughout New Hampshire, residents deserve transparent information about what those models provide, how they operate, and what they may mean for patients and families. More options can be a positive thing. But choices are most valuable when people understand them.
This is not about telling anyone where they should seek care. It is about ensuring our neighbors have the information they need to make informed decisions when moments matter most.
At United Way of Greater Nashua, we believe strong communities are informed communities. By helping people understand their healthcare options before an emergency occurs, we can empower them to make the best decisions for themselves and their loved ones and continue building a healthier, stronger region for everyone.
Mike Apfelberg is President of United Way of Greater Nashua and resides in Dover, NH
