Our community in the Mad River Valley has long cherished its local health care facilities as essential resources for residents and visitors alike. These services are not merely conveniences — they are lifelines. The recent announcement of plans to close the Mad River Valley Health Center and the nearby physical therapy practice is deeply troubling, and the ripple effects of this decision will be felt across our community.
The Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce is actively working on various levels to support the effort. These efforts include rallying the support of the business community to get involved and express their concerns. We are also working with the Mad River Valley Planning District to collaborate with all of our towns’ select-boards on how best to raise the community's concerns, and hope to open dialog with the appropriate decision makers .
VITAL HUB
The Mad River Valley Health Center has served as a vital hub for medical care, providing accessible services not only to Valley residents but also to those in surrounding towns such as Middlesex and Granville and beyond. For individuals without reliable transportation or the flexibility to travel, the health center offers proximity, familiarity, and a lifeline for timely care. Now, with the looming possibility of closure, many of our neighbors will face challenges in accessing even basic health care services.
This decision, part of a broader effort by the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC) and Central Vermont Medical Center (CVMC) to address a $122 million deficit, underscores the financial strain faced by rural health care systems. While these pressures are real, the ramifications of closing such a critical facility are too significant to ignore.
The impact extends beyond individuals’ health. Businesses in The Valley will face new challenges as employees need to spend more time traveling for medical appointments, affecting productivity and exacerbating existing workforce issues. For an area already working hard to sustain its local economy, this is an unwelcome additional burden.
TRANSPARENCY IS ESSENTIAL
Furthermore, the community has not been provided with clear details about the cost savings expected from these closures. Transparency in decision-making is essential, particularly when the stakes are so high. We deserve to understand the justification for a decision that conflicts so sharply with the health center’s stated mission to ensure perpetual access to local care.
As a volunteer for the Mad River Valley Ambulance Service (MRVAS), I’ve witnessed firsthand the importance of local health care access. The proposed closures will disproportionately affect our most vulnerable residents — those who rely on local services to manage chronic illnesses, receive preventative care, or address urgent medical needs. Moreover, the nearest alternative, located in Waterbury, is a 12-mile journey that many cannot afford, either in time or transportation costs. The loss of our clinic would also add additional stress to the workload of the MRVAS, one of the last surviving all-volunteer ambulance services in the state.
As a community, we must come together to advocate for sustainable solutions. That is why the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce is calling for collaboration with CVMC, UVMMC, and other stakeholders. Together, we can explore creative alternatives to closure. This might include seeking state and federal grants to offset financial challenges, advocating for rural health care support at the state level, or engaging with the Green Mountain Care Board to reconsider budget priorities.
FIND A PATH FORWARD
The health and well-being of our community is at stake. The chamber is ready to partner with all parties to find a path forward — one that prioritizes people over numbers. We urge local leaders and decision-makers to join us in this effort to preserve essential health services for the Mad River Valley.
Health care access is not just about convenience; it is about preserving the quality of life and ensuring the long-term sustainability of our community. Let us work together to ensure that the Mad River Valley remains a place where health care is accessible to all who call it home.
We stand ready to collaborate. Let’s keep our community healthy, strong, and resilient.
Friedman is the executive director of the Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce.
