by Michael Del Trecco, VAHHS President and CEO Regular VAHHS Update followers know that our hospitals are in the midst of an exercise and assessment enabled by legislation last year, now called Act 167. Our regulator, the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) is conducting dozens of community meetings, a few of which have taken place already to “identify community-informed opportunities to improve the sustainability of Vermont’s health care system.”
What those “opportunities” look like can vary widely depending on your perspective and experience. Further, prioritizing among those “opportunities” complicates things further.
To say there is much on the line for patients, providers and rural health care at this moment, is an understatement. Engagement is absolutely essential from caring Vermonters who share a vision for health care that centers access, even in our most remote corners, inspires health care providers in all areas to stay and practice here and ensures quality remains high, even as demands increase and patients present sicker.
This is no small order and there is simply no silver bullet in our pursuit to do better.
I sometimes wonder if our purpose and motivations get drowned out in all the policy, meetings, hearings, panels, and models. For our hospitals that true north is crystal clear every day in our work. In the hearts and minds of our providers and the sorrow and joy of our patients.
We exist as anchors in our communities. Made to withstand pandemics and crises. Champions for those most vulnerable. Builders of opportunity. Solvers of big challenges.
I want to sincerely thank all who spoke, engaged and advocated on behalf of our hospitals and for a stronger, more resilient health care system last week at the GMCB Act 167 hospital transformation virtual community and provider meetings. There are dozens more planned so I want to urge those of you with meetings still to come to try to register at the link provided and attend and support your community hospital and health care providers.
These providers extend far outside the walls of our hospitals to home health care providers, skilled nursing facilities, mental health counselors and acute care centers. The entire ecosystem is in trouble, and we must lift up and support every facet to make
lasting progress toward a functional health care system. The fact is, without a well-supported and highly functioning system, care within our hospitals becomes more expensive and meeting the needs of Vermonters in our communities becomes challenging, if not impossible.
It is so critical that we collectively speak at these meetings; your efforts throughout the state to share your experiences—as patients, as supporters and as community members—is vital to ensuring that every voice is heard during these crucial conversations. We recognize that advocacy can be hard—especially amid critics. And we all know how there are fewer things more complex and personal as health care.
In all the challenges, there are also bright spots too that deserve our attention and acknowledgment. A recent Forbes article shared in the Vermont Business Magazine ranked Vermont fifth best for health care in the country and highlighted some key outcomes in which our hospitals played an important part.
The Green Mountain State ranked best in the nation for metrics such as infant mortality rate, influenza and pneumonia mortality rates and kidney disease mortality rate, the report stated.
Very importantly, the report ranked Vermont as the third lowest for percentage of residents who chose not to see a doctor at some point in the past 12 months due to cost.
As you often hear me saying, we have much to celebrate—and much to work on—as do healthcare providers in every state. Your collective work and commitment to patients and to all Vermonters is commendable. We really appreciate your help advocating on behalf of our hospitals.
Please take a look at the schedule for those upcoming GMCB community and provider meetings and join if you can. If you can’t attend a meeting, but want to be heard, you can make a public comment using this form.