Text and video by Planet Hank 

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is facing a serious financial crisis — projecting a $7.1 million shortfall for the upcoming fiscal year, with at least $30 million in accumulated losses over multiple years.

Financial reserves have fallen dramatically, the Birthing Center is scheduled to close December 31, and hospital leaders say BMH isn’t expected to reach break-even until 2028.

But this story is bigger than a hospital budget.

BMH is one of the Brattleboro area’s largest employers. What happens to jobs, healthcare access, housing, economic development and the ability to attract new families and businesses if the community loses its hospital?