It's Tuesday, September 8.

Comments on Hospital Budget Orders

VMS sent a letter to the Green Mountain Care Board last week asking regulators to monitor whether the hospital budget process is harming clinician wellbeing and patient care. This came about after gathering input from over a dozen VMS members at hospitals across the state about how their practice has changed because of recent budget constraints. Thank you to everyone who shared their experiences.

  • If you would like to submit your own comment to the Green Mountain Care Board about hospital budget orders, email GMCB.Board@vermont.gov with the subject line "Public Comment: FY27 Hospital Budget Review" before Friday, Sept. 11 or fill out this form. You can request that your comments only be shared with GMCB members and staff if you don't want them posted online.
  • The next hospital budget review meeting is tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept 9. View the full schedule here.

👋 THIS WEEK: Meet the candidates (and free food!): A reminder to join us in at Hotel Vermont Burlington on Wednesday, Sept. 9 (tomorrow) and the Brattleboro Country Club on Thursday, Sept. 10 for our legislative candidate receptions from  6 – 7:30 p.m. Over 20 legislative candidates have said they’ll attend the event in Burlington and half a dozen in Brattleboro, including several members of the Senate Health and Welfare, the House Committee on Health Care, and the state auditor candidate. RSVP here.

    IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

    💉 The AMA Releases Immunization Guidance: The AMA and the University of Minnesota's Vaccine Integrity Project released respiratory virus immunization recommendations for the upcoming season for flu, COVID and RSV, developed with American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the Infectious Diseases Society of America. The advice usually comes from the CDC and the independent advisors on the Prevention’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practice (ACIP), but following massive disruptions, the AMA and specialty societies are filling in the gaps. A recent JAMA article provides more context, along with the immunization review process. For more:

    🫄More on Vaccines: Administration of RSV Vaccine for Pregnant People: Starting this month, a single dose of Abrysvo (Pfizer’s RSVpreF vaccine) can be administered to pregnant individuals between 32 and 36 weeks gestation to provide protection for infants in the upcoming RSV season. Abrysvo is not recommended if the pregnant individual has received a previous RSV vaccine dose for any reason. Abrysvo can be administered during pregnancy through January 31 (to pregnant individuals who meet the recommended gestational age). You can sign up to get vaccine updates from the Vermont Department of Health here.

    🎗️ National Suicide Prevention Month: Healthcare professionals face extraordinary pressures. Yet too often, many struggle in silence. One of the most powerful ways to prevent suicide is to foster a culture where seeking help is viewed as a sign of strength and professionalism. Resources available now:

    • VMS wellbeing workshops and one-on-one coaching sessions are available at no cost. Workshops include topics like the reverberation of adverse events, differences in the workplace, and taming negative thoughts. These can be modified to meet your goals.
    • The Vermont Practitioner Health Program (VPHP): A VMS program to help clinicians whose ability to practice medicine is impaired or is at the risk of becoming impaired due to the use of drugs, alcohol, mental health challenges, cognitive impairment, and other factors. Confidential number: 802-223-0400
    • Physician Support Line: Confidential peer support for physicians and medical students at 1-888-409-0141.
    • 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org 
    • NAMI HelpLine (National Alliance on Mental Illness): 1-800-950-NAMI (6264).

    🐣 Birth Center Licensing Rule Public Hearing: The proposed standards for licensing birth centers in Vermont is open for public comment until Friday, Sept. 18. There will be a public hearing on the proposal this Friday, Sept. 11 at 9 a.m. at the state office complex in Waterbury or online. More details from the Department of Health and click here to join via Teams.

    EVENTS

    Health Equity Summit

    Sept. 24 - 25 | Burlington

    The Health Equity Summit is a collaborative space for health care professionals, community leaders, researchers, and advocates to build partnerships in pursuit of a more just and equitable future. Free to attend. Click here for more information.

    Neurobiology of Trauma and SUD

    Wednesday, Oct. 7 from 12 - 2 p.m.

    This session uses findings from addiction and trauma research to highlight how substance use disorders and exposure to traumatic stressors can produce neurobiological changes that influence behavior and contribute to overlapping clinical needs in recovery. Learn more and register.

    ACP 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. 

    2026 Collaborative Meeting

    Nov. 13 - 14 | Stowe, VT


    The 2026 Collaborative Meeting is taking place at Topnotch Resort in Stowe. Meet your colleagues and hear timely updates from health care leaders. See the full agenda and register here.

    For more information about offerings from UVM Continuing Medical and Interprofessional Education, visit this link.

    VTMD.ORG

    Vermont Medical Society

    PO Box 153

    Williamstown, VT 05679

    -- Unsubscribe --