September 29, 2025
Montpelier, VT — As Vermont faces looming health insurance cuts and the end of Medicare telehealth coverage, All Brains Belong VT has been awarded a grant from the Melissa Andrews Trust to expand care for neurodivergent Vermonters with chronic respiratory illness.
All Brains Belong VT, a nonprofit community health organization supporting neurodivergent Vermonters, will use the Melissa Andrews Trust grant to expand access to care for patients with chronic respiratory illness, including those with Long COVID.
This investment comes at a critical time: This week Medicare eliminates coverage for most telehealth visits, and Vermont projects that up to half of residents on Affordable Care Act (ACA) health plans could lose coverage in 2026 due to rising premiums and complex new requirements. Patients with chronic illness are being pushed out on all sides: workplaces enforcing Vermont’s return-to-office mandate, insurance systems raising barriers, and healthcare that becomes harder and harder to reach.
“Many of our patients are delaying or forgoing medical care because they can’t afford it,” said Dr. Mel Houser, physician founder and Executive Director of All Brains Belong. “They are rationing medications, skipping appointments, and putting their health and lives at risk. The Melissa Andrews Trust is helping our community hold the line for patients losing coverage — making sure they still have access to care, medications, and connection.”
The grant will support expanding the Community Health & Access Fund, a community-driven initiative providing sliding scale medical care, medications, supplies, and other support for basic needs. It will also support education of healthcare providers, patients, and the public on chronic neuroimmune conditions such as Long COVID.
More than 70% of All Brains Belong’s patients live with chronic conditions that impact breathing, including Long COVID, asthma, dysautonomia, and sleep-disordered breathing. The organization combines medical care with community programs that reduce isolation and improve health outcomes.
“The Trust exists to support access to care for people with respiratory illness,” said Trustee John Lyon. “We’re honored to partner with All Brains Belong in meeting this critical need for our community.”
The Melissa Andrews Trust was founded in 1922 by Melissa Andrews in memory of her son, who died from tuberculosis. Today, the Trust continues her legacy by supporting nonprofit healthcare providers caring for individuals with respiratory conditions. Current Trustees are John Lyon, Owner of Wilkins Harley-Davidson, and Jon Valsangiacomo of the law firm Valsangiacomo, Detora, & McQuesten.
Together, this partnership helps ensure that Vermonters with chronic respiratory illness are not left without care amid shifting policies and rising barriers.
ABOUT ALL BRAINS BELONG
All Brains Belong VT is a nonprofit community health organization in Montpelier that integrates medical care, peer connection, and education. ABB provides neurodiversity-affirming healthcare for children and adults, along with community programs and workplace training to build a world where all brains belong. For more information, visit www.allbrainsbelong.org.