Editor’s note: This commentary is by Rosemarie Jackowski, an advocacy journalist and peace activist who is the author of “Banned in Vermont.”
[T]his letter was sent to the Bennington Select board on Aug. 25.
To the Bennington Select Board:
Respectfully, please allow me to introduce myself. Approximately four years ago, I attended the meeting held by the Vermont Council on Rural Development. Many meetings were held on different topics. There was an impressive turnout of citizens. I chose to attend the meeting on poverty.
At one point, citizens were allowed to participate. I raised my hand, and brought up the problem of access to dental care. There has been a shortage of dentists in Bennington for a very long time. For several years after the meeting, there continued to be no focus on the dental issue. Eventually another divisive fluoride vote was held. It failed.
Now the Select Board is putting its strength behind setting up a commission. I oppose this. I do not question the Select Board’s motives, but I question the wisdom of this decision. This is a well-known tactic of corporations and government. Committees and commissions are often set up to deflect criticism. It is also a well-known tactic used to delay any real move toward solving a difficult problem. It falls in the category of: “The dog ate my homework.” Blame somebody else. It’s not my fault. At this late date, ascribing blame would be counterproductive. As a community we must move forward and find a solution.
Some suggestions:
1. Forget about setting up commissions, committees, study groups, focus groups, etc. We need action, not meetings. The appointment of a committee trivializes the urgency of this important health problem.
2. Because a serious health emergency exists in Bennington, the prohibition on compassionate care should be revoked. Vermont has prevented licensed doctors and dentists in other states from coming across the border and rendering care at no cost to the patient or taxpayer. Several years ago I contacted Stan Brock, founder of Remote Area Medical. He told me that he would come to Bennington with many doctors and dentists, “if only it was not illegal in Vermont.” The article I wrote about this is titled “Size Matters.”
Not only a problem with access to dental care, but so many good doctors have left Bennington, that there is a crisis in primary care also.
3. Put humanitarian needs first. The policy of preserving “the image” and hiding the problems will not work on this issue any more than it has worked with the panhandler issue.
4. Sen. Leahy has contacts in Cuba. Cuba has a national policy of sending doctors and dentists to areas in need. The senator could be contacted by the Select Board. He may be able to help.
5. There might be a way to solve this problem without adding to the oppressive tax burden in Bennington. Have any applications for grants been filed?
The “perfect storm” is upon us now. Not only a problem with access to dental care, but so many good doctors have left Bennington, that there is a crisis in primary care also. As of Friday, I was told that there would be no way in the foreseeable future for patients in Bennington to have access to a doctor for primary care if their doctor was one of those who has left the area. The waiting list to see a nurse has hundreds of names on it and it could be many months to see a nurse. This means that those in need of pre-op exams will not get them. Those in need of ongoing care for chronic health problems will not get care. This is not a prediction of what will happen in the future. This is what is happening in Bennington right now.
I have ultimate respect for the members of the Select Board, and also the town manager and his staff. They are to be commended for their hard work and dedication to duty. Please, do not let the people in Bennington down. We are counting on you.
