• Latest

The Challenge of Serving Vermonters

September 18, 2017

VSAC Shows You How: Comparing Financial Aid Offers

February 23, 2021

Eraserhead (1977) 3 Stars

February 23, 2021

Public Health Leaders Urge Vermont Legislators to Prevent the Sale of All Flavored Tobacco Products

February 23, 2021

Bernie’s Mitten Merchandise Offers A Pathway Out of Poverty

February 23, 2021

Enjoy the 2021 Maple Season, Even Without Maple Open House Weekend

February 23, 2021
Plainfield’s Community Bagged Supper Resumes on February 23rd

Plainfield’s Community Bagged Supper Resumes on February 23rd

February 16, 2021

2021 Vermont Personal Income Tax Season Now Open

February 16, 2021

Soylent Green (1973)

February 16, 2021
My Blatant Self-Promotion

My Blatant Self-Promotion

February 16, 2021

Governor Phil Scott Announces Identity Protection Services for All 2020 Unemployment Insurance Claimants

February 16, 2021

Montpelier Alive Announces Love Your Neighbor Food Pantry Fundraiser

February 9, 2021

Vermont State Treasurer Beth Pearce Highlights Unclaimed Property Day and Reminds Vermonters to Search for their Missing Money

February 9, 2021
  • Home
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
Thursday, February 25, 2021
The World Online
  • Home
  • News & Features
    • Local News
    • Letters & opinions
    • George Shuman
    • Max’s View
    • Local Sports & Outdoors
    • Births
    • Weddings & Engagements
  • Calendar
    • Art Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Ongoing Events
  • Obituaries
  • Submit
    • Submit Calendar Listing
    • Submit An Article To The World
    • Submit Letter To The Editor
    • Submit Sports News/Photo
    • Submit Birth Announcement
    • Submit Engagement Announcement
    • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Advertising
    • World Rates and Ad Sizes
    • World Distribution Map
    • World Deadlines
    • Audit and Reader Surveys
    • Advertising Inquiry
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ads
    • View Current Classifieds
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News & Features
    • Local News
    • Letters & opinions
    • George Shuman
    • Max’s View
    • Local Sports & Outdoors
    • Births
    • Weddings & Engagements
  • Calendar
    • Art Exhibits
    • Calendar of Events
    • Ongoing Events
  • Obituaries
  • Submit
    • Submit Calendar Listing
    • Submit An Article To The World
    • Submit Letter To The Editor
    • Submit Sports News/Photo
    • Submit Birth Announcement
    • Submit Engagement Announcement
    • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Advertising
    • World Rates and Ad Sizes
    • World Distribution Map
    • World Deadlines
    • Audit and Reader Surveys
    • Advertising Inquiry
  • Classifieds
    • Place Classified Ads
    • View Current Classifieds
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
The World Online
No Result
View All Result

The Challenge of Serving Vermonters

vt-world by vt-world
September 18, 2017
in Letters & opinions
0

Pat McDonald and Ben Kinsley are co-hosts of the show “Vote for Vermont.” In a recent show they interviewed Al Gobeille, Secretary of the Agency of Natural Resources (AHS). He has quite the backstory, having graduated from Norwich University, served in the US Army, is a restauranteur, former Chair of the Green Mountain Care Board and now Secretary of AHS. Al said his secret to success is to surround himself with experts in their field who share his values.

Appointed as a member of the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) in 2011, Al was elected Chair in 2013. He said this assignment changed his life. He commented it is hard to grasp and explain the importance and complexity of health care to Vermonters and Vermont’s economy. What has been happening on a national stage has resulted in a tough debate about health care. Al said the health care system consists of three buckets: 1. Collect the money; 2. Pay for goods and services; and 3. Deliver services, with a focus on accessibility, high quality and coordination.

Al was particularly pleased with the leadership stance set by America’s Governor’s recently, which sent a strong message to the Senate that what they were proposing wouldn’t work. He is hoping going forward that the Administration and the Congress include Governors in their discussions. Al stepped down from the GMCB Chairmanship when he was appointed as Secretary of AHS.

As Secretary of AHS, Al is responsible for numerous areas providing services to Vermonters. A discussion of each Department and corresponding critical areas of concern/opportunity followed.

Administration: Vermont currently stands to lose $200M in Medicaid funding if the Affordable Care Act is repealed. Everyone is hoping that the close relationship between Vermont and the Feds, the Governor’s support, and the involvement of our congressional delegation will result in a much better outcome for Vermont.

Department of Children and Families: Al gave kudos to the Director of DCF and his ability to deal with the aftermath of the tragic shooting of a DCF worker. He praised DCF staff for their continued dedication, passion, and hard work on behalf of Vermont’s children and families. Al said his focus is on the security and safety of DCF staff as they do the work of angels.

Al talked about the impact of the opioid crisis not only on DCF but on every corner of AHS and the State. Through a lot of hard work, AHS has developed the “Hub and Spokes Health Homes” program which creates a coordinated, systematic response to the complex issues of opioid addition. White House Director Richard Baum pointed to this program as a model for the country.

Department of Disability, Aging and Independent Living: Vermont is now the second oldest state in the Union, right behind Maine. Because of this Al said that a primary challenge is to determine where aging Vermonters belong – in nursing homes or independent living. Are nursing homes a better option for Vermont’s Elderly or are there enough providers available to ensure safe in-home environments?

Al said that a primary focus of DAIL is the hiring of disabled workers while ensuring their benefits packages are supported throughout their work. The disabled have sometimes lost important benefits – similar to the welfare “cliff” we hear about – when they go to work.

Department of Mental Health: Al noted that mental health issues are found everywhere. Fortunately $8.lM was included in this year’s budget to support community based mental health treatment facilities. He admitted that we are not there yet in the implementation phase of the community model but they are working hard and will have some proposals ready for the next legislative session.

Department of Corrections: Al noted that Vermont is one of very few correctional systems in the country that provides treatment in prison for behavioral or mental health issues, and of course opioid abuse. Out-of-state housing continues to be an issue while the state seeks funding for new in-state facilities.

Miscellaneous: Issues such as transportation, early education and housing continue to be dealt with in collaboration with other agencies within state government.

Note: The comments reflected in this article are opinions stated by our guests. Any rebuttals are welcome and can be expressed on the websites and Facebook pages of VFV and CFV. If you would like to see the show please go to vote802.com for a complete listing of Vote for Vermont shows or our YouTube channel.

Previous Post

Support Your Independent, Socially Just Radio

Next Post

Vermonters Oppose the Wasteful Killing of Wildlife

Next Post

Vermonters Oppose the Wasteful Killing of Wildlife

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This Week’s Ads

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
The World
403 US Route 302
Barre, VT 05641
Phone: (802) 479-2582

Copyright © 2019 The World Online. All Rights Reserved. Powered by CoolerAds.

No Result
View All Result
  • Art Exhibits
  • Audit and Reader Surveys
  • Births
  • Calendar
  • Contact Us
  • Daily Horoscope
  • Fall Dining Guide
  • Food & Recipe
  • Home
  • Obituaries
  • Ongoing Events
  • Pay Your Bill Here
  • Senior Living Edition
  • Showtimes
  • Submit Birth Announcement
  • Submit Calendar Listing
  • Submit Engagement Announcement
  • Submit Listing to our Local Directory
  • Submit Sports News/Photo
  • Submit Wedding Announcement
  • Testimonials
  • The World Coupons
  • Weather Forecast
  • World Deadlines
  • World Distribution Map
  • World Rate Card
  • World Rates and Ad Sizes
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Sitemap
  • About Us
  • Vermont Lottery
  • Advertising Information
  • The World Staff
  • Advertising Inquiry
  • Submit Letter To The Editor
  • Local Directory
  • Poll Results
  • Local Deals
  • Classifieds
  • Submit An Article To The World
  • Events
  • The World – This Week’s Online Digital Edition
  • The World Auto & Sports

Copyright © 2019 The World Online. All Rights Reserved. Powered by CoolerAds.

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Fill the forms bellow to register

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In