Health reform is about more than doctors and hospitals. The most important aspects of health care happen in homes and communities. Vermont’s public system of community mental health, developmental services, substance use disorder treatment and disability and aging services are critical to Vermont achieving the triple aim of improving health outcomes, reducing costs and improving satisfaction with the quality of health care.
This forum of candidates for Governor will raise key issues about how resources can be directed to strengthen and sustain these home and community based services. This is a critical topic to thousands of Vermonters who experience disabilities and live with chronic disabilities, as well as for children and families who struggle with poverty, trauma and other challenges. As Vermont strives to redesign oversight, management, delivery and payment for health care the community based service system may hold the key to success.