Healthcare Workers Rally Against Budget Cuts in Central Vermont
Berlin, Vt. — A passionate crowd of nearly a hundred healthcare workers and patients gathered on Thursday afternoon, demanding that the University of Vermont (UVM) Health Network reconsider its impending budget cuts. The proposed cuts are part of a mandate from the Green Mountain Care Board, requiring the network to reduce over $100 million in revenue this fiscal year.
Proposed changes include job cuts and the closure of essential clinics and services, most notably the inpatient psychiatric unit at Central Vermont Medical Center. Deb Snell, an ICU nurse, expressed concern, stating, "Psychiatric patients, dialysis patients, vulnerable patients. That’s who you’re picking on? That’s who you’re gonna take services away from?"
Healthcare professionals at the rally shared their frustration and fear for the community. Ryan Gauvin, a clinical coordinator at Mad River Family Medicine, affirmed their commitment to patient care, emphasizing, "We all get into this business for one main reason… to help patients." Longtime Central Vermont Medical Center employee Sue Becker described the cuts as "punishing" for the state’s most vulnerable, warning that such measures would leave them without local care options.
The demonstrators conveyed their intent to meet with legislators to voice their concerns and urge the network to halt the cuts. Barry Bolio, an operations support specialist, remarked, "We don’t come here every day for the paycheck; we come here because we want to serve these people."
In response to the outcry, the UVM Health Network acknowledged the anxiety and stress the cuts are causing but noted that each decision aimed to minimize impact while complying with regulatory orders. The Green Mountain Care Board also weighed in, suggesting alternative approaches in light of state population health goals.
The rally underscored the critical importance of maintaining essential healthcare services for the Central Vermont community as discussions around the budget cuts continue.
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Photo credit www.mynbc5.com
