by Mike Del Trecco, CEO, VAHHS Happy Summer. It’s been a while since I wrote a column, but now feels like the right time for an update and restatement of how Vermont’s system of hospitals is approaching the challenges we face in health care in our rural state. I’ll cut right to it and share that the work is difficult, necessary and ripe with opportunity to better serve all of you and is why we are optimistic about the work ahead.
Vermont’s hospitals are navigating one of the most challenging and transformational periods in modern health care – certainly in my career. We’re meeting the moment—with leadership, compassion, and commitment to progress – to address affordability and protect access to critical services even as we restructure. This means evolving to meet the needs of Vermonters for today and tomorrow, keeping the right care local, and regionalizing care where appropriate, all with a constant focus on the patient and affordability.
As we partner on the work ahead, we’re keeping several principles in focus.
First, we are leading with substance. Our work with respected experts such as Kaufman Hall and the Rural Health Redesign Center helps ensure our actions are rooted in data, sound strategy, and shared goals. That substance matters—it builds trust with policymakers, regulators and the public.
Second, we are focused on meeting the Green Mountain Care Board’s budget guidance to the greatest extent possible, which is a huge lift. If successful, the result will be more than $240 million in savings across the system. We will bring forward the saving opportunities and will be clear about the trade-offs. In order to find savings, we’ll have to do things differently, or not do them at all. In some cases, that will be a good thing. In other cases, that will come with sacrifices. But our commitment is to level with our patients and the public about the benefits and drawbacks and demonstrate that our plans have been made by experts who care. Honesty builds credibility—and we must own both our progress and our constraints.
Third, we remain committed to doing everything we can to address health care affordability. Vermonters are feeling pressure in every aspect of life—from groceries to housing to child care—and health care cannot be an exception. Every action will demonstrate that hospitals are part of the solution.
But let’s be honest: change is hard. And the reality is that most, if not all, of our hospitals will look different in the future than they have in the past. That can be difficult—for our teams, our communities, and our patients. It can also be positive and powerful. Whatever the case, we will adapt. And we will make these changes with our patients at the center. That’s not a cliché, that’s a promise.
One powerful example of this is Copley Hospital’s decision to close its birthing center after careful analysis. That announcement was met with deep emotion—disappointment, frustration, even anger—in the community. As a parent of two amazing kids, I understand that. The birth of a child is deeply personal. But consider this: critical services like prenatal, postpartum, and obstetric care, will remain. That matters.
We support Copley’s decision because it is sound and made with patients front of mind. Their decision balances the trade-off of access and affordability without compromising patient care. That doesn’t mean it’s easy or comes without sacrifice. Hospitals are heeding the call to action on affordability and as Vermonters, we must embrace change.
If we do not, progress will stall and we risk the entire system failing. I know that’s not an outcome any of us wants. We’re working closely with lawmakers, Agency of Human Services, the Green Mountain Care Board and local leaders to be sure we get this work right. We hope the community and our broader state will rally around Copley and all Vermont hospitals as they do the hard, but necessary, work ahead.
The road forward is a challenging one. But if we continue to lead with substance, stay transparent, and put patients first, we’ll emerge with a health care system that’s stable and even thriving. Our hospitals are changing—not because we’re giving up on services, but because we’re showing up for our patients and communities.
Thanks for reading. I know this was a long one! Have a great week.