It’s no secret that the baby boomer generation has influenced this country in areas from pop culture to politics and the economy. The latest ripple effects are set to reach Vineyard shores, as our population of senior residents will increase significantly in the next five to 10 years — a silver tsunami, if you will. And the stresses that will be placed on the Island’s health care system should top the list of priorities we’re considering now.

The current debate in Washington isn’t solely about the grand goal of expanding access to health insurance. It has turned into a spar about spending and controlling costs in the federal Medicare program. For those who need reminding, the Medicare program covers all Americans over age 65, as well as many disabled younger people.

We are all aware that runaway national health care costs and the need to increase access to care are the main reasons for health reform. Martha’s Vineyard health care providers are certainly feeling the effects of rising costs on a local level. We have read recently in the local papers about how expensive procedures are at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital and how budget stressed the folks at Martha’s Vineyard Community Services are.

As most everyone knows by now, the Visiting Nurse Service, the former nursing agency of Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, announced in March that it would be closing its doors effective June 30. The Vineyard Nursing Association, upon learning of the unexpected closing, began working with Sharon Claus-Zanger, the VNS clinical director, and others to create a plan to move care for 70 patients to Vineyard Nursing Association home care by the end of June.