Gov. Phil Scott is blaming rising health care costs on Vermonts declining demographics

Gov. Phil Scott is blaming rising health care costs on Vermont’s declining demographics driven by a housing crunch. After sweeping cuts at the University of Vermont Health Network, mental health, dialysis and inpatient services are all on the chopping block to save money in the health care system. It’s a problem years in the making, with skyrocketing health care costs borne by an aging population no longer working. “These decisions are not going to be palatable for some. But if we’re going to survive and make for a more better and affordable Vermont, we have to face them head on,” Scott said. The governor says the issue is similar to the challenges Vermont schools face with fewer students and rising costs. But he says Vermont can reverse the tide by bringing more young people into the state.