by Don Keelan
The Bennington County political, business, medical, and nonprofit organization leaders continue to address serious and almost insurmountable issues impacting the County: a lack of affordable and workforce housing, drug overdosing, criminal activity, and primary and secondary school cost and performance.
If that wasn’t enough, there is one more. The area is losing its primary care medical providers, specifically medical doctors. Then, it became personal. For the first time in my 84 years, I no longer get to see a primary care physician.
For the record, I am not “out in the cold.” I have been assigned a competent nurse practitioner. What happened? My doctor of the past 36 years committed a dastardly deed; he retired.
Therein lies the problem for Bennington County and a good part of Vermont. Primary care doctors are aging. Soon, several Bennington area primary care doctors will likely close their practices and retire. Then, what happens to the thousands of patients who will continue to require the services of a primary care physician?
In doing an informal survey with a local doctor who recently retired as a primary care physician, we concluded that within the next two years, it is possible that six, or even up to eight, doctors in Shaftsbury and Bennington will retire, with a patient count of approximately, 9,500.
Upon further investigation, it turns out that the Shaftsbury practice, included in the above, closed last year, resulting in approximately 3,500 patients needing a new medical home. Most likely, some moved to the Southwestern Vermont Hospital’s Pownal Medical office. A bit of a hike from Shaftsbury, 20-plus miles. Some patients may have been fortunate enough to be taken in by Bennington’s still-existing primary care practices, and others by the Arlington Federal Qualified HealthCare Clinic.
Since it opened ten years ago, the Arlington FQHC has been a godsend to the greater community, providing medical, dental, and mental health services to approximately 4,000 patients from 26 towns in southern Vermont, eastern New York, and northern Massachusetts. Yet, the Clinic, with two doctors and three nurse practitioner providers, is vulnerable and depends heavily on government subsidies and provider retention.
What I found interesting but upsetting in researching this column is how fluid the primary care doctor situation is. For example, in calling the hospital’s Pownal Campus, I was informed that the practice has a new patient waiting list and that the earliest opening to see a doctor might occur in 2025.
Thirty miles to the north in Manchester, the hospital’s other medical clinic had good news: they were accepting new patients. But this location is also quite a trek for those living in Bennington or Pownal, especially in winter.
I was ready to conclude that the FQHC health center in Arlington was my new home when I discovered that one of the two medical doctors was leaving in March. She will be joining a private clinic in Manchester where, for a $450 annual fee, one can have additional medical privileges. The FQHC informed me that they are not accepting new patients.
Manchester is also home to a medical boutique practice where, for approximately $1,500 fee per year, one can have reasonably close contact with a medical doctor. Of course, the problem is only some have such an amount available, and the practice wishes to take on fewer patients.
However, there is some good news, assuming it is still in the works. The Southwestern Vermont Medical Center, now affiliated with Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, is interested in creating a family practice medical residency program.
Searching for a primary care doctor in southwestern Vermont has taken on the same level of anxiety as finding a plumber, electrician, carpenter, or car mechanic. They just are not available.
The Legislature, the Administration, and the residents of Vermont need to stop kicking the can down the road and recognize that the services we once took for granted are rapidly disappearing. This can be partially reversed if the State commits to more affordable housing for young professionals, tradespeople, and others.
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Categories: Commentary, Health Care
the state is not in the business of building housing/// oh do you like those 250,000.00 one bed room apartments/// all tax payer funded////
big increase in my private insurance this year to help pay for my nurse practitioner provider/// no doctor available//
Mr. Keelan’s request for state government intervention actually is counter productive. In healthcare, the zeal to launch ‘obamacare’ and Vermont’s version of socialized medicine got us where we are today, Big, Corporate, Heavily Regulated, medicine- with the public demand of ‘free’ and subsidized care. Added into the puzzle are ridiculous requirements of government funded “gender reassignment” treatments, mandatory coverages for services that should be a personal expense- all carefully engineered to guide Vermont into a mandatory, state run socialized medical system- modeled after the unsatisfactory Canadian system.
Unravelling the “affordable housing” problem that has really plagued Vermont for nearly half a century by adding more regulation to “fix” legislative problems-is just continuing the fox running the henhouse scenario. Perhaps in reality it is Vermont’s
legislative and executive branches in the henhouse, with Special Interest, Lobbyists and the Donor class playing the role of the fox. If “government” got us in this mess, how possibly can “government” fix their problems?
Fully agree. Mr. Keelan routinely touts the next great idea these Communists wish to control: Socialized Housing! Right in line with the picturesque high density, cookie-cutter, multi-family crammed quarters one seed everywhere in Communist China, the former USSR , Uraine, and the rest of many old eastern block nations.
And now Keelan wants us to believe physicians themselves are in dire need of “affordable, workforce” housing! Not on your life buddy – that housing you so desire is for all the undesirables this leftist government has invited in from elsewhere: gang bangers, drug dealers, the homeless, migrants, illegal aliens and so much more! Wake up.
Once more Mr. Keelan – free marketeers build houses and the free market establishes prices – and I’m pretty darned sure the vast majority of M.D.’s aren’t living under bridges once their last patient of the day has been seen….
Give us all a break already with this DEI housing crap introduced by none other than Hussein Obama and his crackpot sidekick Joey B.
You want an affordable house? Start searching, drop the bong, and bring your toolbox with you. Try personal accountability. The government is not your nanny.
Lecturing Don Keelan (USMC, Ret.) on personal accountability? Hmmmm…..not something I would do….
Your argument is invalid. Mr. Keelan rightly states that affordable housing is but another obstacle for all Vermont residents- That a newly fledged MD or NP is starting out, the same as everyone else did- not commanding a $500,000 salary is searching for affordable housing as well. UVMMC is currently partnering with developers, building housing for their employees in So. Burlington, because in part- the salaries UVMMC can offer are also indirectly regulated, by the GMCB. It is an acute and chronic problem, still not addressed by this or a score of previous legislatures. Free- market housing is seldom built in Vermont, thanks to the legislative and bureaucratic largess of laws and regulations…enacted by whom, exactly? Ahh. the legislature. The “kick the can down the road because we can’t fix the monster we created” legislature.
i guess all professionals have to have a 500,000.00 house/// try building it your self/// hard work will make you feel good///
good to see one key board thumper is awake///
I stopped using allopathhic or western medicine to HEAL 13 years ago.
Guess how many times I’ve been sick?
I pay attention to what goes into my body (foods, drink, pollutions, toxins), and what kind of food (fresh vs processed) and do what it takes to keep my body the temple for my soul that it is…the Essenes understood this very well…and lived LONG lives.
No one thinks I’m the age I am…they routinely peg this senior as at least 20-25 years younger. I know my body (Exeliteathlete), and have done all my life. It shows. Food from scratch. Removal from constant barrage of EMFs. Know the source of ALL my food. Or do without.
My stamina, energy, mental health, and physical health reflect all of this.
I don’t outsource my health, trying to bypass the choices I’ve made, and blame it on something or someone else. I hold myself accountable for the exercise I don’t get, the junkfood I (don’t) eat, the thoughts and beliefs I hold.
God gave us everything we need to stay healthy and live LONG lives… 120 years. But we’re too lazy to be healthy. That’s on you.
P.S.
Getting off ALL pills and chemicals was KEY to getting healthy again. Detoxing and cleansing did it…but it wasn’t overnight as those chemical tend to stay in the body. Didn’t get myself sick overnight…not gonna heal overnight…patience, endurance, and positive outlook on the outcome…
Yes – take control of your own health!
Welcome to the “Affordable Care Act/Obamacare”!!! 😡. Ain’t it just great?
I am thankful I live on the NH border. There seem to be plenty of doctors in NH. It is a step backward to get the state of Vermont involved in anything productive…..
when i see our military on our borders protecting us/// i would put that under the term/////personal accountability///
Guy, I wasn’t lecturing Don Keelan on personal accountability – I am vehemently disagreeing with his premise as to who the “affordable, workforce” housing is actually targeted for & again who began this “equitable housing” movement which is so embraced & aggressively pursued by VT democrats.
The free market historically always determined value & prices, not the government. Lastly, I’m demanding personal accountabilities for all the basement dwellers perpetually living as though adolescents who drone on about their not being able to afford a home. There is plenty of affordable housing around……it might not suit these kids’ taste, or be renovated, or be in the neighborhood they so desire, but it is there. “Beggars” can’t be “choosers”, at least that’s what my mother told me when I was in my twenties. And she was correct.
Primary Care, is now under a corporate business model, and it functions primarily to sustain itself by pitching early detection via testing and drug intervention.
Masking problem, so the root cause is never established.
But then the drugs treating one symptom, cause another symptom, and before you know it you are on a hand full of medication and being tested periodically for everything under the sun.
Good for primary care model, not so good for you!
The “Sword of truth” speaks the truth!
True. It’s even often referred to as corporate medicine. And now some Vermonters want corporate housing too. Be careful what you wish for, or just simply move to Communist China.
Sorry Frank, then I misunderstood you – because I am not & never will be an advocate for Obama/Biden’s Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing requirements which have already permanently changed zoning laws in VT in order to force “diversity”, comply with DEI policies & WEF’s vision for “owning nothing & being happy”. Except on Martha’s Vineyard. And Oahu, Hawaii. And in the Hollywood hills of CA where progressives hang their hats.
I actually agree with mday44yahoocom on this. Pick up a hammer & renovate. My father once did as did his father before him.
“Affordable” housing destroyed once pleasant communities on Long Island, in parts of NYC like the Bronx where my husband hails from. In Connecticut, NJ, and all over parts of the northeast.
The Constitution guaranteed life, liberty, & the pursuit of happiness – not “free” healthcare or government housing.
Mr. Keelan’s column highlights problems Vermont residents face obtaining primary physicians. Actually a fairly common problem- similarly, the majority of Vermont’s and the nations most pressing issues- and the legislation provided to “solve” these issues are a direct result of corporate meddling (lobbying) and the grift that these alleged lawmakers are subjected to. In Vermont, corporate interests range from groups like the CLF, VPIRG and VNRC to Efficiency Vermont, The VNEA, State Employees Union and actual corporations like pfizer and
even UVMMC and DHMC. Each has it’s specific interest and each uses whatever form of influence it can to achieve legislation that furthers that interest. It appears that current legislatures contain so many representatives and senators willing to ignore those they claim to represent and instead follow the money. Vermont is now reeling from the effects of this system- and the subterfuge of red herrings- the pressing need to be “woke”- provide additional “rights” for “disadvantaged” groups- Demanding pronouns- all a distraction for John and Jane Q to become stirred up about. We are at critical mass regarding such things as state teacher pension fund, Act 250 and it’s quagmire of development rules, our Healthcare and Education systems are both failing under the burden of corporate influence- and Vermont will never have enough GDP or wealth to tax our way out of the legislative morass we have allowed.
Government intrusion into free markets like housing have created a housing “crisis”
Legislative ignorance has led to unsustainable education and healthcare systems
Underlying all the bombast surrounding “green energy” you will find groups and governments funding the gaslighting, subterfuge and lies.
Until Vermont’s uninformed and apathetic, eligible voters become aware and involved- nothing will change. Not “affordable” housing, education nor healthcare-
as the groups that matter to the legislature will continue to hold sway- Even here in Vermont, there are Tens of Billions of dollars at stake.
We have a voter problem that created the legislative problem- and those in the majority like that just fine.
Again, agreed. I was simply making reference to his usual mention of the supposed desperate need for workforce housing in VT – a commonly used dog whistle by democrats to gain control every facet of life in America in Communist fashion and to aid in infusing now these crazed DEI housing programs dreamed up by Obama and his like minded fanatics. Further, the sheer lunacy that the left promotes that one must be able to live in the precise same community as they work, is laughable and merely an excuse for this forced diversity “equitable” housing push which will never end well. My own husband, also a US veteran and now retired, commuted daily to work nearly 200 miles round trip per day. Millions still do across the country as we write. Yet VT residents cannot possibly “commute” from Shaftsbury to Manchester. Farsical.
Be very skeptical of “affordable housing efforts”, because Vermont has to fix the crime, drugs, and terrible policies first. Make it more desirable for employers and workers and they will come.
I could not agree more. There is plenty of this “affordable” housing in VT. Take a look at realtor.com alone. This is nothing more than a decades-old leftist call in order to have the government control housing and to force “diversity”. Neither ever end well.
Rockefeller medicine has one purpose and one purpose only, customers for life. Primary care is under the yoke of corporate, for-profit, medical universities or managed care operatives, big pharma, monopolizing health insurers, and NGOs. All of these entities have their tentacles in your personal healthcare. There is no longer a doctor to patient exclusive relationship as witnessed by the advent of COVID-19 and copious drugs for every ailment known or to be known. They hide the cures to mask the symptoms for profit and diminishing overall health and wellbeing. Only in America is healthcare a complete and absolute lie for big profit. Why do think the medical symbol is two snakes?
Whatever the government (State or Federal) gets involved in gets ruined. In Vermont it’s Education tax and Electricity among a few other things. Federal Government got involved with cable tv, airlines, and most recently the medical profession. The Midas Touch – only what government touches turns to 💩.
do you dare talk about rockefeller///
Trust Fund Kids Gone Wild – a new series under development as the consequences unfold before our eyes.