Amanda Janoo Visited Bellows Falls Amid Health Concerns
The gubernatorial candidate discussed local medical facility closures while campaigning across the region.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Nursing Jobs
Live Poll
Do you believe it is time for a change in Vermont's government leadership?
Gubernatorial candidate Amanda Janoo visited Bellows Falls on September 18, 2026, to engage with residents following the closure of a local health center. Janoo, an economist, is challenging incumbent Governor Phil Scott.
Why it matters
The visit highlighted growing anxieties regarding healthcare access after the Health Center of Bellows Falls shut down. Attendees at the event expressed deep concerns about service levels and the impact of recent institutional losses on the community.
NorthStar Health sustained a $2 million financial loss in the year leading up to the closure of the Bellows Falls facility. The center shuttered in December 2024 following only six weeks of public notice.
The players
Amanda Janoo
She is a 38-year-old economist from Burlington who is running to unseat incumbent Governor Phil Scott.
Phil Scott
He is the current Governor of Vermont and the incumbent candidate whom Janoo seeks to unseat.
NorthStar Health
This health provider experienced a $2 million financial loss before closing its center in Bellows Falls.
Brattleboro Memorial Hospital
This medical institution previously decided to close its birthing center but subsequently reversed that decision.
The details
Janoo, a 38-year-old former United Nations economist, met with approximately 100 people at the Flat Iron Cafe to address the state of medical care. The discussion also touched upon broader economic trends and the future of healthcare infrastructure in rural Vermont.
Timeline
December 2024: The Health Center of Bellows Falls officially closed its doors.
September 17, 2026: Janoo attended a Windham County Democratic Party fundraiser in Brattleboro.
September 18, 2026: Janoo toured downtown Bellows Falls and met with local supporters.
Market Landscape
This campaign visit follows a pattern set by the Brattleboro Memorial Hospital birthing center closure reversal, where public pressure successfully influenced local healthcare accessibility. The event underscores how rural healthcare consolidation remains a major point of friction in state politics.
The closure of the Bellows Falls health center forces local residents to seek medical services in other towns, potentially increasing travel times and costs. Patients should prepare for shifts in local service availability as additional budget cuts are anticipated later this year.
The takeaway
Healthcare consolidation continues to challenge rural residents who must adapt to changing service availability. Voters interested in medical accessibility should track upcoming budget cycles to anticipate potential changes to local care facilities.
What happens next
Additional funding cuts are expected to take effect later this year, potentially impacting further service levels in the state.
Further reading
For more context on regional workforce issues, visit the Vermont Nursing Jobs section.
Live Poll
Do you believe it is time for a change in Vermont's government leadership?
