Call to Action: Your 2020 Census Response Matters

Did you know that the U.S. Census Bureau’s field collection and self-response options will end on September 30—one month earlier than the previous October 31 deadline? The loss of time and physical distancing due to COVID-19 could lead to a significant undercount of the population, especially for immigrant communities and persons of color. This could have a profound impact on our state’s congressional representation, redistricting and critical federal funding for communities.

Every individual not counted means an annual loss of nearly $2,400 per person in federal funding for the next 10 years. As much as $16 billion in federal dollars for Massachusetts lies in the balance, with much of this funding devoted to health care programs, including Medicare, Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and substance use and prevention grants. Staff are encouraged to complete the 2020 census form (in one of 13 different languages) and share with patients the importance of being counted. It’s safe, easy and important. For an interactive map of current census count by county, city and town, click here. 

Visit www.2020census.gov for more information.