Brattleboro Town Board Considers Tax Hike to Save Hospital Birthing Center

The Brattleboro Selectboard voted unanimously to explore holding a special Town Meeting on a possible municipal tax increase to fund the birthing center at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital. The not‑for‑profit hospital faces a projected $14.5 million budget deficit and estimates a $4.8 million loss for its obstetric unit, threatening closure of obstetric services within six to nine months.

Seven medical groups representing about 3,000 Vermont clinicians have urged Governor Phil Scott and the state Agency of Human Services to raise Medicaid obstetric reimbursement rates to match those for other primary‑care services. Medicaid currently pays for roughly half of births in Windham County, well above the state average of 36.9 %. The hospital says the financial challenges stem from low reimbursement, declining birth volumes and rising costs, and it is seeking both immediate assistance and longer‑term policy solutions. State officials have not yet responded to the request.