Letters

Times Argus I fully disclose I am a member of the GMCB advisory committee and have been since the GMCB’s beginning. I firmly believed, and still believe, in the GMCB and its mission, which has changed since its inception in 2011 under Act 48. The current difficulties Mr. Hildebrandt describes would be far worse in […]

VTDigger Dear Editor, Richard Dalton’s letter, “Gifford Medical Center cannot survive financially” raises some interesting questions about the way we deliver health care in Vermont and, for that matter, the rest of this sad and troubled nation. These go beyond whether Gifford can survive or not. Mr. Dalton summed it up perfectly: “the stark reality […]

VTDigger Dear Editor, I recently read the Oliver Wyman report cover to cover and wonder if the consultants have ever had to drive in a blinding snowstorm for health care services. The idea of gutting North Country Hospital and requiring the residents of Newport and the Northeast Kingdom to drive 45 miles to St. Johnsbury […]

Rutland Herald Various sources have reported the following on recent Green Mountain Care Board decisions. It seems, for the third year in a row, the state’s health care regulator will allow Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont to increase individual premiums by 19.8% and small group premiums by 22.8% over current rates. Meanwhile, Vermont […]

St. Albans Messenger Once again, thanks to Emerson Lynn for another commentary.  This one is “Can’t afford to ignore report on Vermont’s Hospitals (Messenger, September 20, 2024).”   It concerns the final report from the consultant who examined Vermont’s shameful mess of a health care system, courtesy of the legislative Act 167, Dr. Bruce Hamory. […]

St. Alban’s Messenger Once again, thanks to Emerson Lynn for another commentary.  This one is “Can’t afford to ignore report on Vermont’s Hospitals (Messenger, September 20, 2024).”   It concerns the final report from the consultant who examined Vermont’s shameful mess of a health care system, courtesy of the legislative Act 167, Dr. Bruce Hamory. […]

Rutland Herald The Legislature allocated a large sum of money — I believe a million dollars — for a consultant to assess the state of Vermont’s health care and identify potential solutions. After many months and miles and meetings, the consultant, Dr. Bruce Hamory, released a lengthy report that identified numerous problems. The vast majority […]

Addison Independent At Porter Medical Center and Helen Porter Center, there is a significant event taking place, and not many of us are aware of this situation. The LPNs, the techs and the support staff have formed a bargaining unit and are negotiating a first contract with the PMC administration. At stake are three important […]

St. Albans Messenger Seventeen years ago in 2007 the American, and Vermont’s, healthcare imbroglio compelled me to make an awful decision. I had to bargain with a hospital for how much I was willing to pay to save my life. I was ransoming myself. I was uninsured and needed a certain operation to stay alive. […]

Addison Independent Like many others I attended the local meeting described in “State healthcare system needs Rx” (8/1/24) to learn about the results of the $1.1 million study commissioned by the Green Mountain Care Board. Yes, indeed, the information presented was grim, but one wonders if this study is just “one more study.” We already […]