03/30/2026
Thank you to all who attended the Little Rivers Health Care Legislative Town Hall on March 30 in Fairlee. We were grateful to be joined by Vermont State Representative Jim Masland, Rebecca Holcombe, Mike Tagliavia, Monique Priestley, and Vermont State Senator John Benson for a thoughtful discussion on issues impacting our community.
Key topics included rising healthcare costs, rural access challenges, insurance affordability, workforce shortages, and the strong connection between housing and healthcare. Legislators also shared updates on efforts to reform primary care payment, stabilize insurance coverage, and support housing development.
Key Takeaways:
• Vermont’s healthcare system faces unsustainable cost growth paired with access challenges, especially in rural areas.
• Payment reform and insurance stabilization are central legislative strategies.
• Community-based care models offer promising solutions but require sustainable funding.
• Housing is inseparable from healthcare, directly impacting workforce capacity.
• Long-term success depends on system integration, prevention-focused care, and policy alignment.
Action Opportunities:
• Monitor implementation of primary care payment reform
• Track hospital pricing reform outcomes
• Support workforce housing development strategies
• Explore feasibility of local Community Health Hubs
We appreciate the strong community engagement and look forward to continuing these important conversations as we work toward sustainable solutions for the health of our region.
