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NEED TO KNOW
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Committees Continue to Work to Complete Priority Bills as the FY27 Budget Advances Towards Negotiation
Despite rumors of the Legislative session continuing through the first week of June, the Vermont Statehouse is abuzz with activity as Committees push to complete priority bills. The full Senate approved their version of the FY27 Budget on a preliminary vote this morning and will likely go into conference committee as early as Thursday of this week. Typically, this would allow the Legislature to meet the projected mid-May adjournment date, yet both Senate and House leadership are predicting that because of differences in the education bill the legislature will not be finished with their work until the end of May.
Join us at the Statehouse on Wednesday morning for the VMS' final advocacy breakfast and/or for the public hearing on primary care access that the House Health Care Committee is holding this Thursday evening from 5-7PM. Look below for more details.
Here are some of the actions taking place this week on active bills VMS is tracking:
- Please Urge House Health Care Committee to Oppose S.64 – Expansion of Optometry Scope of Practice: The House Health Care Committee continues to deliberate over their vote on S.64, a bill that would authorize optometrists to perform surgical procedures on the eye — including laser surgeries, needle injections, and scalpel surgeries — without requiring the surgical residency training that makes these procedures safe. Email House Health Care Committee members here to urge them to oppose S. 64: ablack@leg.state.vt.us; dberbeco@leg.state.vt.us; valorie.taylor@vtleg.gov; bcina@leg.state.vt.us; wcritchlow@leg.state.vt.us; ademar@leg.state.vt.us; lgoldman@leg.state.vt.us; LHoughton@leg.state.vt.us; Karen.Lueders@vtleg.gov; dpowers@leg.state.vt.us; dsoucy@vtleg.gov
- S.71, the data privacy bill, has a proposed amendment that does not provide a HIPPA entity level exemption, which would add significant compliance costs for health care organizations, and is being taken up in H. Commerce this week.
- S.193, a bill that would create a forensic facility in order to provide competency restoration services for people found incompetent to stand trial and who have been charged with an offense punishable by a life sentence or those if released would create a substantial risk of bodily injury to another person, continues to be debated in several House Committees including House Human Services that has concerns about competency restoration in general.
- S.197,the primary care access bill, is scheduled for mark-up this week in the House Health Care Committee, along with S.190, the reference-based pricing bill, and S.189, a bill which proposes modifying the public process before hospitals reduce services.
- S.198, the tobacco retail licensing bill, continues through mark-up in House Human Services this week and passed the House Government Operations in a straw poll.
- S.230, which includes a provision that prohibits non-compete clauses for health care providers passed the House General Committee last week and heads to the full House this week and for review in the Sen. Economic Development Committee.
- S.278, the cannabis regulation bill that includes a provision allowing for direct delivery sales is being debated in the House Government Operations Committee.
- H. 237, legislation that authorizes prescribing by doctoral level psychologists, was signed into law by the Governor by the April 27th, 2026 and becomes fully effective in 2029. In signing the law, the Governor sent a signing letter expressing disappointment that the Department of Mental Health, who could have shared important perspectives on public health and safety, were not asked to testify on the bill, urging the Board of Psychological Examiners to consult closely with the Department of Mental Health regarding rulemaking and advising adding a report on the status of this effort in 2030 and 2031. Thank you to members who contacted the legislature and Governor regarding the bill.
- H.583, a private equity in healthcare bill, is being taken up in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.
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Public Hearing on Access
to Primary Care, April 30th 5-7pm
The Vermont House
Committee on Health Care will hold a public
hearing on Thursday, April 30 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Room 11
of the State House. Those
interested in testifying may attend the hearing in person or virtually.
The Committee will take
testimony on access to primary care and invites individuals to share their
experiences, recommendations, and insights to inform members as they consider
legislation related to primary care. Anyone interested in testifying must
sign up in advance of the hearing through the following online form no later
than 4:30 p.m. on April 29. For those planning to testify, instructions on how
to access and participate in the hearing will be sent the morning of the
hearing. Each participant will be given 2.5 minutes to testify.
Online sign-up form here.
For those not planning to
testify, the hearing will be available to watch live on YouTube at the
following link: https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/house-health-care.
Written testimony is
encouraged and can be submitted through email at testimony@leg.state.vt.us or
mailed to the House Committee on Health Care, c/o Megan Cannella, 115 State
Street, Montpelier, VT 05633. For more information about the format of this
event, contact Megan Cannella at Megan.Cannella@vtleg.gov. |
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One Remaining 2026 VMS Legislative Breakfast – April 29th
It’s
not too late to join for the Vermont Medical Society’s one remaining breakfast
for the 2026 legislative session! All
VMS members and medical students are encouraged to join us for the last
opportunity of this legislative session to meet your lawmakers and
advocate for health care policies over coffee and a light breakfast. The
breakfast is being held on Wednesday, April 29th from 8-9 am at the Vermont
Statehouse in Montpelier. This is an informal opportunity to educate lawmakers
on ways to improve Vermont's practice environment and no prior legislative
experience is needed.
Please
register here.
Reach out to Jill Sudhoff-Guerin at jsudhoffguerin@vtmd.org if you
have any questions |
MISC.
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Kick Off Meetings: Blueprint for Health Modernization Proposal
The Blueprint for Health staff are excited to invite Vermont primary care practices, clinicians and other interested parties to a kickoff meeting to introduce a modernized program proposal for an Advanced Primary Care Program in Vermont under the Blueprint for Health. This initiative builds on Vermont’s strong foundation of patient-centered care and aims to enhance access, care coordination, quality outcomes, and health equity across our communities while strengthening and leveraging investment in primary care to ensure practices have the resources and support needed to deliver high-value care. Please feel free to forward this invitation to your colleagues and leadership. The same content will be offered at each of the three meetings - 4/27 at 4 pm, 4/29 at noon, and 5/1 at 8 am. Questions asked by attendees will be documented and answered by the Blueprint team then posted in the 1-2 weeks following for everyone’s review. The meetings will not be recorded, AI transcription will not be allowed, and slides presented will be posted on the Blueprint website no later than close of business on 5/1.
April 29th, 12-1pm
Join Microsoft Teams meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/21961545455906?p=EZ1vcx29awPe2PuPXQ
Meeting ID: 219 615 454 559 06
Passcode: Aj7vn6VA
Dial in by phone: +1 802-828-7667,,538318711#
May 1, 8-9am
Join Microsoft Teams meeting: https://teams.microsoft.com/meet/21234171022160?p=84lzR6QuqmEQGPRFqD
Meeting ID: 212 341 710 221 60
Passcode: KY649Gk2
Dial in by phone: +1 802-828-7667,,787759904# |
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EVENTS
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UVM Project ECHO: Updates in Diabetes Management
April 29, 2026 at 12pm
Zoom over iECHO Platform
This 5-session spring series will discuss evidence-based best practices in the care of patients with Diabetes Mellitus. The focus will be on areas of recent practice change, including optimal use of continuous glucose monitors and practical treatment updates. There will be specific attention to improving our understanding of newer medications, including new options for insulin, SGLT2 inhibitors and GLP-1 and GIP agonists.
The series begins on April 29, 2026 and meets every other Wednesday from 12:00-1:00 on zoom. Please see the attached flyer for session dates and details.
Enrollment is limited. Registration will close on Wednesday April 22, 2026, and the series cohort will be finalized at that time. Registration Link: iECHOregistrationDiabetes |
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UVM Project ECHO: Medication for Opioid Use Disorder April 30 - September 17th, 12pm to 1pm
Zoom
Join subject matter experts from around the region during biweekly virtual sessions on Zoom from Thursdays, 12-1 PM. Open to all health professionals who are looking to gain knowledge and confidence in the foundational skills related to medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD). Priority is given to Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. No cost to join. Interdisciplinary teams are encouraged to apply.
Learn more here. |
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SpeakSooner: Facing the Challenges of Healthcare Decisions: The Role of Patients, Families and Providers
May 5, 2026
Webinar
A serious diagnosis affects patients, families and providers. Studies in the medical literature show that effective communication can improve health outcomes and patient satisfaction. Yet, difficult decisions in the face of serious illness can sometimes be clouded by a well-intentioned desire to protect one another. At such times, family dynamics can play a role in how healthcare decisions are made.
This program will bring together experts who will share their perspectives on the role that patients, families and providers can play when navigating the complexities of difficult healthcare decisions. Audience Q&A will be offered via chat.
Learn more and register here. |
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Expanding Addiction Treatment Systems
June 2, 2026
In-Person - Killington, VT
The annual Blueprint for Heath & Vermont Department of Health in person conference for Substance Use Disorder care teams will be at the Killington Grand Resort Hotel on June 2nd this year.
This conference is freely available to people working in Vermont on care related to mental health and substance use disorders.
At the conclusion of the set of conference learning sessions, participants will be able to:
- outline one integrated Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) care model that identifies community needs, improves treatment engagement and retention, and includes co-treatment strategies for commonly co-occurring conditions such as Alcohol Use Disorder, HIV, and/or HCV.
- appraise the status of the Vermont Substance Use Disorder (SUD) treatment system regarding trends in population outcomes and availability of levels of care.
- identify two principles of provider self-care regarding mitigation of moral injury and leveraging of team-based care systems.
Learn more about the event here and register here. |
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AlpTerra Wilderness Medicine Course
October 1–5, October 8–12, 2026
Franconia, New Hampshire
Join Alpterra for an immersive, hands-on wilderness medicine course designed to prepare you for real-life scenarios in the outdoors. Treat mock injuries, problem-solve in the elements, and walk away with practical skills that stick.
- Max 4:1 participant-to-instructor ratio for highly personalized, discussion-driven learning.
- Accredited for up to 16 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ — an excellent use of your CME allowance.
- Stay on-site in a luxury home-style setting. Enjoy locally sourced, family-style meals tailored to dietary needs.
- Add-on trips let you ski, climb, or explore the White Mountains with expert guides before or after your course.
Learn more about the agenda and registration here. |
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2026 Collaborative Meeting November 13 - 14, 2026 Stowe, VT
The 2026 Collaborative Meeting is taking place November 13th and 14th at Topnotch Resort in Stowe, Vermont. Please save the date and join us this Fall! Stay up to date on additional details by visiting here. |
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For more information about offerings from UVM
CMIE, visit here. |
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Vermont Medical Society PO Box 153 Williamstown, VT 05679 -- Unsubscribe -- |
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