Ideas worth spreading

Why doctors are offering free tax prep in their waiting rooms

1,422,277 views |

Lucy Marcil |

TED2018

• April 2018

More than 90 percent of children in the US see a doctor at least once a year, which means countless hours spent in waiting rooms for parents. What if those hours could be used for something productive -- like saving money? Through her organization StreetCred, pediatrician and TED Fellow Lucy Marcil is offering free tax prep to parents right in the waiting room, reimagining what a doctor's visit can look like and helping to lift families out of poverty. Learn more about how free tax prep and guidance could be the best poverty prescription we have in the US.

More than 90 percent of children in the US see a doctor at least once a year, which means countless hours spent in waiting rooms for parents. What if those hours could be used for something productive -- like saving money? Through her organization StreetCred, pediatrician and TED Fellow Lucy Marcil is offering free tax prep to parents right in the waiting room, reimagining what a doctor's visit can look like and helping to lift families out of poverty. Learn more about how free tax prep and guidance could be the best poverty prescription we have in the US.

This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Donate to StreetCred to empower low-income families.

About the speaker

Lucy Marcil

Pediatrician, social entrepreneur

See speaker profile

Lucy Marcil is providing fiscal services to low-income families in the doctor’s waiting room.

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This talk was presented at an official TED conference. TED's editors chose to feature it for you.

Donate to StreetCred to empower low-income families.