Dear Editor,
Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine announced his decision to retire in early February and retired at the end of March. A new commissioner of health has still not been announced.
It is not clear why, but it is clear that with all that is happening with federal changes in health policy and health funding, it is vital to have a new commissioner.
Vermont had one of the best state responses to Covid-19 in the country, which was due to the strong partnership between the governor and the commissioner of health. We need to have this partnership in place in case of another serious outbreak.
In this time of uncertainty in federal health policy and health funding — and distrust in public health — it is important to have strong, capable leadership in the Vermont Department of Health. I urge Gov. Phil Scott to appoint a physician and seasoned health administrator for this important job.
Deborah Kutzko
Burlington
(Deborah Kutzko is a retired nurse practitioner and member of SOS for Public Health, a group of retired and former Vermont health department employees who are dedicated to speaking out strongly for public health in the state.)
