Johnson Health Center fears detrimental effects in recovery efforts amid Medicaid funding cuts
During National Recovery Month, one non-profit in Lamoille County is preparing to take on massive expenses in anticipation of a $1 trillion federal funding cut to Medicaid over the next decade. The Johnson Health Center is now asking the community for support as the future of the non-profit is in question.Clinical Services Director Crystal Bolio shared similar experiences with the 500 people who receive addiction care and medical care services between the Burlington and Johnson locations. She’s a former IV heroin addict and has been in recovery from opiate use disorder for nearly 20 years.“What really made the difference was finding that community of people that cared about me and my success,” said Bolio.Bolio said that’s what you’ll find at the Johnson Health Center. Its mission is to provide trauma-informed, whole-person medical care, working with people who have substance use or co-occurring mental health disorders.According to the Vermont Department of Health, the number of opioid-related deaths is lower than the last three year-average. The department said increased access to life-saving treatments, like naloxone, are to thank.The naloxone vending machine outside of the Johnson Health Center has distributed over 1,300 doses over the last two years.Now, the One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law in July will cut federal funding for Medicaid by 15%, or $1 trillion, over the next 10 years.”It could increase wait times; it could mean that we have to limit how many people that we can take at a time. And it could ultimately mean that we would have to close one or both of our offices,” said Caroline Butler, the co-founder and lead nurse practitioner at The Johnson Health Center.Butler said more than 90% of their patients rely on Medicaid to receive services. She and her husband, Geoff Butler, who’s also the executive director of the non-profit, fear that the funding cuts could reverse progress the community has made on the opioid crisis.“It’s really gonna come down to donations, family foundations, people really reaching out and seeing the significance of the work we do here,” said Geoff Butler. In the meantime, the Johnson Health Center will continue to take in as many patients as it can.
During National Recovery Month, one non-profit in Lamoille County is preparing to take on massive expenses in anticipation of a $1 trillion federal funding cut to Medicaid over the next decade.
The Johnson Health Center is now asking the community for support as the future of the non-profit is in question.
Clinical Services Director Crystal Bolio shared similar experiences with the 500 people who receive addiction care and medical care services between the Burlington and Johnson locations. She’s a former IV heroin addict and has been in recovery from opiate use disorder for nearly 20 years.
“What really made the difference was finding that community of people that cared about me and my success,” said Bolio.
Bolio said that’s what you’ll find at the Johnson Health Center. Its mission is to provide trauma-informed, whole-person medical care, working with people who have substance use or co-occurring mental health disorders.
According to the Vermont Department of Health, the number of opioid-related deaths is lower than the last three year-average. The department said increased access to life-saving treatments, like naloxone, are to thank.
The naloxone vending machine outside of the Johnson Health Center has distributed over 1,300 doses over the last two years.
Now, the One Big Beautiful Bill signed into law in July will cut federal funding for Medicaid by 15%, or $1 trillion, over the next 10 years.
“It could increase wait times; it could mean that we have to limit how many people that we can take at a time. And it could ultimately mean that we would have to close one or both of our offices,” said Caroline Butler, the co-founder and lead nurse practitioner at The Johnson Health Center.
Butler said more than 90% of their patients rely on Medicaid to receive services. She and her husband, Geoff Butler, who’s also the executive director of the non-profit, fear that the funding cuts could reverse progress the community has made on the opioid crisis.
“It’s really gonna come down to donations, family foundations, people really reaching out and seeing the significance of the work we do here,” said Geoff Butler.
In the meantime, the Johnson Health Center will continue to take in as many patients as it can.
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