Hospitals push back against report calling for Vt. health care shakeup

RANDOLPH, Vt. (WCAX) - Reaction on Thursday to a mammoth report calling for a huge shakeup in Vermont health care, including closing or repurposing some smaller hospitals.

State leaders say it may be the only way to save rural facilities that are bleeding cash. But some hospitals are pushing back.

It's a challenge faced by many communities across Vermont- the cost of delivering health care in a rural setting. In Randolph, the local hospital has been losing money for years, sparking soul-searching in the community.

Eric Wallman has spent the better part of four decades working under engine bays, in wheel wells and under cars in Randolph.

"Forty years here working on cement, both knees are toast, feet hurt day after day," Wallman said.

He's struggled to have a total knee replacement covered by insurance as premiums have skyrocketed. So, he's been receiving interim treatments at Gifford Medical Center, the hospital in town.

"They've gone above and beyond to try to help me by giving me cortisone shots and I need knee replacements in the end result, but I'm trying to buy myself a little bit of time," Wallman said.

But access to those treatments at Gifford could be scaled back if the state follows the recommendations of a new report aimed at stemming financial losses at the state's small rural hospitals.

The report recommends Gifford explore converting all inpatient beds to long-term care and mental health services and discontinue an array of medical procedures.

In a statement, incoming CEO Michael Costa says he's concerned about the impact on patients, including women who come to Gifford for ob-gyn care, "I am disappointed that the consultant's report did not reflect the voices of Gifford's team and our community."

Local leaders note that Gifford employs about 500 people making it an important economic driver in the community. Rather than scaling back medical care, they say the state needs to incentivize more housing to help the community fill open jobs and grow its economy.

"We need to do what the state needs to do. Randolph needs to grow and help the state be more of a sustainable place because the ramifications are enormous," said Mark Rosalbo, Randolph's economic development director.

These are just recommendations from the consultant. Officials have not taken any action as of yet. Still, the report will be a springboard for lawmakers next session to continue difficult discussions.