Born in Puerto Rico, Jon and his family left in search of opportunity and made their way to Boston. The move allowed his father to finish college at Northeastern University while they lived in subsidized housing and relied on government support. But while Boston offered the promise of expanded opportunity, Jon’s family also found a city facing a scourge of gun violence, struggling schools, and worsening inequity.
As an emergency room doctor, Jon works on the frontlines of the opioid crisis and sees the disparities in our health care system up close every day. Although Massachusetts led the nation in expanding access to care with its 2006 health care reform, for too many, quality and affordable health care remains out of reach. Jon will support policies that ensure truly universal coverage, such as a Medicare for All system; protect MassHealth from devastating cuts; and fight for solutions to address the opioid epidemic and growing health disparities. He will file legislation to significantly increase the number of treatment beds, mental health providers, and expand wraparound services.
Jon believes that improving access to medication-assisted treatment, funding innovative solutions, and working to address the underlying stigma of addiction are vital if we are to address the public health crisis of our generation. As a resident of the South End, Jon is acutely aware of the quality-of-life issues brought on by the opioid crisis. He will work to expand services to neighboring towns and across the state so that his community doesn’t bear the full burden. As a clinician, Jon understands the challenges service providers face and will work with them to foster a more collaborative relationship with neighbors to address quality-of-life issues such as needles and safety.