Health

Health section

Where Have All The Nurses Gone

by RDavis | Health

In his recent budget address Vermont Governor Phil Scott pointed out that Vermont is spending too much money to hire traveling nurses. He has come to recognize something that has been causing economic pain to Vermont’s health care institutions for many years.

When an institution cannot hire enough nurses from the local community and they want to provide optimum staffing, they often turn to one of the national traveling nurse companies to fill vacancies. The overall cost of contracting with these agencies significantly hurts the bottom line of institutions and that means that overall health care costs increase for everyone eventually.

Thai Massage Thursdays In February (in Putney)

by Not Signed In | Health

Hello Neighbors, I am new to the area, and want to let you know that I am offering a very special type of massage called Thai Massage, every Thursday in February in Putney. I am a fully licensed and insured Massage Therapist, RN, and Yoga Instructor with a great deal of experience and skill. I’d love to see you for a session in February.

Thai Massage (aka ‘Thai Yoga Massage’) differs from traditional Western modalities in that it is done on a comfortable mat on the floor, and the recipient wears clothes that allow for complete range of motion.

VFW $6.50 Lunch Specials Open to the Public 11-18 to 11-22 & Fish Fry 11-22

by Not Signed In | Health

The Brattleboro VFW located at 40 Black Mountain Road is open to the public for lunch. Lunch is served Mon-Fri from 11:30 – 1:30. Specials listed below are only $6.50 a plate. Hand made burger, fries, sweet potato fries, wings, onion rings, soups and sandwiches are also available. Take outs available by calling 257-0438

Mon – chicken n’ biscuits w/ salad

Too Big To Fail?

by RDavis | Health

Three years ago Vermont started an experiment to try to improve the quality of health care and to lower costs. A for-profit entity called One Care was created and, from the start, the organization’s complexity and lack of transparency has been an issue.

Those problems surfaced in a recent public hearing before the Green Mountain Care Board, the entity that has regulatory control over One Care. One Care is proposing a budget of $1.43 billion. Those funds come from insurers such as Medicare and Medicaid and private insurers and are then funneled directly to hospitals and providers.

It’s Not Happening Here

by RDavis | Health

An October 18 article on the Medscape web site titled, “Over 700 Doctors Paid More Than $1 Million by Drug, Medical Device Companies”, got me to wondering about how our local doctors compare to some of their greedy counterparts in other areas of the country.

The article noted that, “Back in 2013, ProPublica detailed what seemed a stunning development in the pharmaceutical industry’s drive to win the prescription pads of the nation’s doctors: In just four years, one doctor had earned $1 million giving promotional talks and consulting for drug companies; 21 others had made more than $500,000. Six years later — despite often damning scrutiny from prosecutors and academics — such high earnings have become commonplace.”

Beware of Medicare Advantage

by RDavis | Health

Anyone who is 65 years or older is most likely receiving notices about changing their Medicare plan by postal mail, e-mail or through a variety of other media. Medicare open enrollment period is from October 15 to December 7 and anyone enrolled in either traditional Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan can switch coverage. New coverage would begin on January 1, 2020.

It is important to understand the history of the Medicare Advantage program. In 2003 President Bush signed into law changes to the Medicare program that included the creation of Part D Medicare which turned out to be a financial bonus for American pharmaceutical manufacturers.

VFW $6.50 Lunch Specials Open to the Public 10-14 to 10-18

by Not Signed In | Health

The Brattleboro VFW located at 40 Black Mountain Road is open to the public for lunch. Lunch is served Mon-Fri from 11:30 – 1:30. Specials listed below are only $6.50 a plate. Hand made burger, fries, sweet potato fries, wings, onion rings, soups and sandwiches are also available. Take outs available by calling 257-043

Stents, and Bernie

by tomaidh | Health

About a dozen years ago, I was having heart problems. I couldn’t walk more than a block without needing to stop and catch my breath.

The docs said I had a blocked coronary artery (just like Bernie) and recommended a stent.

I went over to Keene to get it done.

The Dismantling of American Health Insurance

by RDavis | Health

Instead of repealing the Affordable Care Act Republicans have found other ways to erode access to health care for more Americans. Policy changes, budget cuts and the elimination of programs have made it harder for moderate and low income Americans to access Medicaid, family planning services and a host of smaller programs.

These moves don’t make headlines and the people who are hurt by the changes may not even realize that they have lost something until they need a service. They also may not know that they lost coverage they may have had because they never tried to access the kind of care they had not needed.

A Shooting a Day!

by tomaidh | Health

Thus far, there has been more than a mass shooting somewhere in the USA every day.
September 1, the 244th day of the year, marks the 283rd such shooting.

The nonprofit Gun Violence Archive tracks every mass shooting in the country. They define a mass shooting as any incident in which at least four people were shot, excluding the shooter. The GVA said there have been 37,662 total shooting incidents, resulting in 9,932 gun deaths and 19,868 injuries as of yesterday. 37 thousand incidents! That’s not self-defense, folks.

No News is Good News? — On Going News-Free

by Lise | Health

After the latest round of shootings earlier this month, I had a moment of nausea that led me to think it might be a good time for a news hiatus. The weather was gorgeous — high summer in Vermont — and an array of family were due to visit. So rather than read depressing headlines all summer, I decided to take a couple weeks off from the news. Maybe, I thought, it will make me happier and less anxious if I just don’t hear any of it.

CBD (Cannabidiol) Will Be Discussed at Inclusion Center

by Not Signed In | Health

Brattleboro, June 2,019 – Scott Sparks, from Vermont Hempicurean, Brattleboro, will be providing an introduction to CBD oils derived from hemp on Friday, June 21, at 11:00 a.m. at Inclusion Center.

The discussion will include a brief history of hemp. Participants will learn how CBD from Vermont farms can provide potential relief from pain, anxiety and sleep disorders. There will be an opportunity to sample some products and learn the ways CBD can be consumed and applied. Those in attendance will receive a coupon for 10% off their first purchase.

First Annual May Day Mocktail Event Draws A Crowd!- Dozens Come To Speak, Share, Dance and Celebrate

by BAPC | Health

Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition (BAPC) held its first annual May Day Mocktail Contest and Dance Party on Wednesday, May 1, at the 118 Elliot Street Gallery. The event honored around 50 people in the Brattleboro area who signed up to take a break from drinking for BAPC’s first “Alcohol-Free April” challenge.

“Because alcohol is so prevalent in our society and our community, BAPC really wanted to use April, which is Alcohol Awareness Month, to encourage people to try to see what a month without alcohol would actually feel like,” says Cassandra Holloway, Director of BAPC. “For some, drinking alcohol can become an almost unconscious habit and we wanted to support those interested in taking the challenge and also celebrate their efforts and successes. It really is geared to be inclusive for ALL, from people looking to take a break to people in recovery”

Healthcare Jamboree in Brattleboro

by ESchwartz | Health

On May 9 the Vermont Workers’ Center will host a Healthcare Jamboree. The event will take place from 5:30-8:00 p.m. at the Brattleboro Savings & Loan Community Room, 221 Main St., Brattleboro (rear entrance). People who have questions about healthcare or who are struggling with the healthcare system, costs or other barriers to care can get information about local resources and connect with others who are organizing for the human right to healthcare.

The Healthcare Navigator from SEVCA will be on hand to help with health insurance questions. There will also be representatives from the Inclusion Center, VT Psychiatric Survivors, the VT Department of Health, and other local groups sharing their resources.

Old News Questions Answered: Yes, BMH Closed ICU in 2018

by Lise | Business, Health
BMH Brattleboro VT

Recently, the question has been posed to iBrattleboro: Has the Intensive Care Unit at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital closed or is it going to be closed? Not knowing ourselves, we called Brattleboro Memorial Hospital to ask. The answer is yes, the ICU is closed and has been for almost a year.

According to Gina Pattison, a BMH public affairs representative, the ICU at Brattleboro Memorial closed officially in June 2018 when the unit was physically removed. In its place is what is called a PCU or Progressive Care Unit, which provides a notch lower level of care than an ICU but makes more efficient use of nursing staff. The Hospital reps we spoke to made clear, however, that this change has not affected patient care.

Inclusion Center Helps Fight Isolation

by Judy Carnes | Health

Everyday living with a chronic disease, developmental disability or other medical issue presents unique challenges. Support from others can help, there is no need to go it alone.  The Inclusion Center, (a nonprofit organization located at lower level, St. Michael’s Episcopal Church, 16 Bradley Avenue, Brattleboro, open Mondays from 10:00 Am to 2:00 PM and Fridays from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM.), is a drop-in center for adults run by and for people with disabilities. Friendship, learning and fun for all abound. Participants come and stay as long or as little as they like, there are no fees. There is no need to qualify for programs such as Medicaid.

The Health & Wellness Resource Center – At Brooks Memorial Library

by Brooks Memorial Library | Health

February was designated American Heart Month by the American Heart Association, and the first official observance was established by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1963, to raise awareness of heart diseases—the number one killers of Americans, according to the CDC and to tell people about all the steps they can take to minimize their risks and improve their health.

Oct 25 Meeting About Preventing Harm to Brattleboro Residents from Opiods and other Drugs

by Not Signed In | Health

Many people in Brattleboro are aware that opioids and other drugs harm some of our community members.  One organization that works on this problem is the Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition, or BAPC, for short. Among other things,  BAPC members help facilitate the collection of unused opioids like oxycontin, so that they can be removed from Brattleboro, and disposed of; help smokers who want to quit find the resources to do so; help local bars train their staff so that they don’t accidentally serve teenagers; teach young children how to avoid getting poisoned by pills that look like candy, and many other harm-prevention related activities.