NEWPORT — Vermont’s rural communities are feeling the pinch of rising healthcare costs and limited access to services, as state officials seek solutions to transform the system.
At a community engagement meeting Tuesday evening, the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) heard from residents and healthcare providers about the challenges facing the state’s northernmost region.
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The meeting, held at Newport’s Gateway Center, is part of a series mandated by Act 167, passed in 2022 to reform healthcare delivery in Vermont. Dr. Bruce Hamory, former chief medical officer for Geisinger, presented data from fall 2023 community meetings showing many Vermonters struggle to afford healthcare.
Insurance premiums are becoming increasingly unaffordable, especially for the elderly, limiting access to long-term care facilities and causing patients to remain in hospitals unnecessarily.
North Country Hospital (NCH) CEO Tom Frank highlighted staffing challenges and the need to reduce services to cut costs. NCH is exploring collaboration with Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury, with some orthopedic services being referred there.
Community members urged the GMCB to prioritize rural needs when making decisions. The board aims to gather input on needed services in rural areas and how to make them affordable and accessible. The GMCB will use input from these meetings to develop options for transforming Vermont’s healthcare system, balancing cost reduction with maintaining essential services in rural areas.
