What the . . . Sliding Scale?
Ever wondered what the sliding scale fee structure is, how it works and where you fit on it?
I was recently asked by a couple of folks to explain how they might be able to use my sliding scale fee structure - so I thought to write something up and share with all of you.
The Sliding Scale is a type of fee structure that serves as a tool to increase economic accessibility.
Health service providers usually offer a sliding scale because there is a commitment to serving individuals and/or communities that would otherwise not be able to afford those services. The idea behind it might sound simple, as Hadassah Damien describes:
'People pay as they are able to for services, events and items. Those with access to more resources pay more and thus provide the cushion for those with less access to pay less, creating a sustainable economic underpinning for said services, events and items.'
But things around money seldom are simple. While some might think of resources simply as income or savings, the concept also seeks to address systemic inequalities of class and privilege in our culture; it also includes your ability to work, your responsibilities caring for elders, children or others and your proximity/access to privilege. Damien also says personal experiences around 'actual' scarcity, fear of scarcity or financial security as well as comparison with the people you spend time with all influence where you feel you yourself 'belong' on the sliding scale.
Alexis J Cunningfolk designed a very helpful graphic - The Green Bottle: Where You Fall on the Sliding Scale - that can help you orient yourself.
