NEWPORT — Dialysis patients at North Country Hospital will continue receiving local treatment following a Green Mountain Care Board decision that allows University of Vermont Health Network to maintain its community-based services.
The regulatory board voted to increase UVM Medical Center’s revenue cap to cover losses from operating dialysis centers in Newport, St. Albans and Rutland.
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Since November, the health system had been exploring options to transfer dialysis operations to other providers, but determined no organization could maintain high-quality care without significant financial losses.
“We’re very appreciative of the board’s willingness to collaborate with us to secure access to this important care in rural areas of the state,” said Stephen Leffler, president and chief operating officer at UVM Medical Center.
The approval adjusts UVM Medical Center’s nearly $2 billion fiscal year 2025 budget to include revenue from the rural dialysis clinics, contingent upon continued staffing and operation of these facilities.
“This was music to our ears as the decision came through the airwaves today,” noted North Country Hospital President & CEO, Tom Frank.
Leffler apologized for uncertainty that dialysis patients and staff experienced during the review process.
“As soon as I received word from UVMMC’s President, Dr. Leffler, I went out to the clinic area to announce the news, and everyone clapped with joy and relief,” said Renal Nurse Supervisor, Sandy Hoffman, who runs the Ron Holland MD Community Dialysis Center at North Country Hospital. “Our patients are like family, and after three months of not knowing the future, this was wonderful for all to hear. It means our patients won’t have to make tough decisions on what it would take to receive renal dialysis care three days a week if dialysis services changed.”
