BRATTLEBORO — For those reading the headlines from various media outlets in Vermont, one cannot help but be troubled by headlines concerning the Brattleboro Retreat and woes of news coming from Montpelier of the denial of funding support critical to the health and future existence of this standalone organization.
As I sat with U.S. Rep. Peter Welch in a roundtable discussion at the Retreat nearly two years ago alongside representatives from the various local health and human service agencies, I recall the topic of outdated state Medicaid waivers. The federal government can and will provide funding to accommodate our people who need help. Access is needed now.
As our 2.3 million Americans struggle with drug or alcohol dependency, it will come as no surprise that we as a town are no stranger to those people who are desperate for help in the form of treatment of the sort that has been provided by the various programs at the Brattleboro Retreat.
Peter: You are known as a friend of the people of this state. Your passion for representing us all is well documented.
We need you now more than ever to answer the plea, to bring your voice to this crisis. It is essential to the very nature of the good work that only the Brattleboro Retreat can provide.