Tuesday, August 11, 2026

‘Stark Changes’ in UVM Health Budget Proposal

The Green Mountain Care Board started the hospital budget review process last week. In a hospital-wide overview, GMCB staff explained that Vermont hospitals (excluding Brattleboro Memorial Hospital) have submitted budgets reflecting nearly $45 million in operating losses this year, with the vast majority of the system losses (nearly $43 million) budgeted by the University of Vermont Medical Center.

Despite these operating losses, the average commercial price for Vermont hospitals is 453% of the Medicare-equivalent payment, showing the continued need to address the cost of delivering services, according to GMCB staff. In a comment, the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (VAHHS) said that the state’s hospitals have already reduced operative expenses by $237 million since 2024 (excluding Brattleboro), well ahead of goals set by consultants Oliver Wyman.

The GMCB began hearings with UVM Health, UVMMC, CVMC and Porter last Monday and Wednesday. UVM Health outlined the work the system and UVM Medical Group have undergone to reduce expenses and increase patient access and clinician productivity.

Of note, leadership described new requirements for ambulatory specialists to increase patient-facing hours and reduce patient appointment times, acknowledging that this could also lead to up to 10% staff turnover.
There is also a renewed emphasis on hiring APPs when appropriate, relative to physicians.
CEO Steve Leffler M.D. stated several times that the hospital system may need to do more layoffs or service reductions to reduce expenses and address the projected budget loss.
Several presenters noted that it is difficult to achieve cost savings through increased operational efficiency in a very short timeframe.

The GMCB was markedly more receptive to the UVM Health and UVMMC budget presentations than in past years. “This is obviously a very stark change in approach and partnership with the Board and I want to thank you for it,” said board chair Owen Foster.

However, the appointed liaison team between UVM Health and GMCB, led by Mike Smith, also submitted and presented a memorandum to the GMCB stating that while UVMH has taken difficult actions to reduce expenses, the Liaison Team believes UVM Health must remove an additional $50 million in expense from its 2027 budget, continue to increase clinical productivity, implement an established and proven management system and increase transparency on the benefits and costs of medical education.

For more:

The materials and schedule of all hearings can be found here.
Recordings of the hearings can be found on YouTube here.
Public comments can be submitted until Friday, Sept. 11 on any hospital budget through the GMCB Public Comment Form. The GMCB will publicly deliberate to approve, modify, or deny budgets by Sept. 15and budget orders will be delivered to hospitals by October 1, the start of the hospital fiscal year. You can view the submitted comments under “FY27 Hospital Budget Review.”

Don't forget to vote!

Polls close at 7 p.m., and you can check your polling location here. Later this fall, VMS will host regional receptions for local and statewide candidates from 6 to 8 p.m., open to all VMS members, on the following dates:

Chittenden County – Wednesday, Sept. 9 at Hotel Vermont in Burlington
Windham County – Thursday, Sept. 10 at the Brattleboro Country Club
Essex/Orleans County – Thursday, Sept. 24 at Eastside Restaurant & Pub in Newport
Windsor County – Wednesday, Oct. 7 at Thyme in White River Junction
Washington County – Thursday, Oct. 15 at Barr Hill Distillery in Montpelier.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Reminder: License Renewals Open Soon

As part of physician licensure by the Board of Medical Practice, you must complete 30 hours of AMA PRA Category 1 Credits to renew your medical license by Sept. 30 for DOs and Nov. 30 for MDs. These should include:

Palliative care, hospice care, or pain management training (1 hour)
For physicians with DEA registrations: training on prescribing controlled substances (2 hours)
For all Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)-registered practitioners: training on the treatment and management of patients with opioid or other substance use disorders (one-time 8 hour-training)

Review courses available to meet CME requirements here.

🤖 Vermont Work Groups Look into Benefits, Regulation of AI

Vermont has two work groups taking a deep dive into the promises and challenges of AI starting this summer:

Vermont Artificial Intelligence (AI) Economic Taskforce --- Last week, Governor Phil Scott announced the appointment of members to the new taskforce, established by executive order to identify how artificial intelligence is reshaping Vermont’s economy sector by sector. The group is assigned with making specific workforce, investment, and policy actions recommendations. Members include an APRN from Southwestern Vermont Medical Center and the Executive Director of Primary Care Health Partners.

Vermont’s Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council --- The Legislature recently expanded the Council, which is tasked with advising the Director of the newly-formed Division of Artificial Intelligence, including recommending statute changes to regulate neurotechnology, the use of AI by mental health professionals, and the use of AI in health insurance utilization review processes. Trey Dobson, MD, past VMS President and emergency department physician at Dartmouth Health will represent the Vermont Medical Society on the Council. Meetings are held on the first Friday of each month at 2 pm. More info here.

💻 VITL Announces New Provider Portal

VITL, the independent nonprofit that operates Vermont’s statewide health information exchange, has announced its migration to a new clinical data repository and provider portal platform powered by Outcome Healthcare. VITL and Outcome Healthcare plan to complete the migration by June 30, 2027. VITL and Outcome Healthcare are still building the project plan and developing timelines, but shared the following updates:

The new portal will have more integrated functionalities that will mean fewer sign-ins and clicks, more complete data and advanced dashboards. Read more about the features in the updated portal here.
If you are contributing data or receiving data into your EHR, your vendor will not need to rebuild any interfaces.

The VITL Client Services team will communicate timelines, impacts, demonstrations, training opportunities, and more as their plan develops.

🎉 Congrats to Tracy Tyson, MD

A pediatrician in St. Albans and the president of the Vermont Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Tracy Tyson, MD, recently won the Immunization Champion Award, from the Association of Immunization Managers and the CDC, recognizing individuals who go above and beyond to promote immunizations and champion public health in their communities. She has guided pediatric providers and public health partners in promoting vaccine confidence and ensuring that accurate, science-based information reaches those who need it most. Dr. Tyson worked collaboratively with health care professionals, public health officials, educators, and community organizations to strengthen immunization efforts statewide. She’s reached tens of thousands of people through videos she shares online debunking vaccine myths, and at community town halls and public forums, where she creates spaces for open dialogue, helping to build trust and shared understanding.

🤔 Reminder: Has Act 111 Helped Reduce Prior Authorization Burden?

We need your help! A year and a half ago, a law went into effect that was supposed to make prior authorizations less burdensome for clinicians, staff, and patients in Vermont. Now, we’re gathering information to tell lawmakers whether the law is working as intended. If you haven't already, please fill out this survey to share your experience with Act 111 and prior authorization in general by Friday, September 4^th.

️🏆Deadline: Nominations for VMS' Leadership Awards

Nominations are due Friday, August 14 for the VMS' Leadership Awards, to be presented at the 2026 Collaborative Meeting. Recognize Vermont leaders who have made outstanding contributions to the medical profession, health organizations, and the welfare of the public. Submit your nominations.

EVENTS

Overdose Awareness Day

Monday, Aug. 31, 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. | Burlington

The First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington will host an evening of remembrance, solidarity, and action for Overdose Awareness. Honor loved ones and patients lost to substance use, hear from speakers with lived experience and community leaders, and recommit to building a healthcare system rooted in compassion instead of stigma.

UVM Menopause Conference

Friday, Sept. 11, 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | South Burlington

Join the Menopause Clinical Update, a comprehensive, evidence-based educational program designed for clinicians seeking to enhance their expertise in menopause care. This full-day session will explore the critical role of estrogen across the lifespan, with practical guidance on managing perimenopause, optimizing menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) prescribing, and addressing key long-term health considerations.

See the full agenda here.

Clinician Leadership Development Course

Oct. 2026 - Mar. 2027 | Stowe, VT

The Vermont Medical Society is offering a course for clinicians to gain skills in team development, finance, communication, and healthcare systems to drive strategic, high-quality patient care and organizational success.

Learn more and apply here.

American College of Physicians Vermont Chapter Annual Scientific Meeting

Friday, Oct. 9 | Stowe, VT

The Vermont ACP Chapter's Annual Scientific Meeting is scheduled for Friday, October 9, 2026. We will again host a poster competition for resident and student members.

Please visit the Meeting Hub for registration and agenda. Contact Colleen at cmagne@vtmd.org or call at 802-793-0493 with any questions.