|
|
|
|
NEED TO KNOW
|
Please Take Action: Urge Senate Health and Welfare Committee to Support Primary Care Funding in FY27 Budget
The Senate Health and Welfare Committee has begun to draft their health care funding recommendations for the FY27 Budget to send to the Senate Appropriations Committee before the end of the week. Senator Lyons, who sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee and is the Chair of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, started the week by recognizing this week as "public health week" and said the Committee's recommendations would focus on prevention, primary care and other under-funded priorities. Jessa Barnard, Executive Director of the VMS, testified last Friday on VMS’ primary care priorities. Click here for the presentation. Please urge the Senate Health and Welfare Committee to include these primary care priorities in their recommendations:
- the restoration of $2.01 million in Medicaid alternative payments to primary care practices
- the full restoration of the $1.27 million cut to the AHEC programming and loan repayment that includes:
-
- $667k Primary Care Practitioner Loan Repayment
- $500k Early Pipeline Health Care Careers Programming
- $50k Physician Placement Services
Please email the committee at: vlyons@leg.state.vt.us; mgulick@leg.state.vt.us; acummings@leg.state.vt.us; John.Morley@vtleg.gov; john.benson@vtleg.gov; Calysta.Koppenhaver@vtleg.gov
Last week, H.84, the bill to allow the recording of telehealth appointments with patient consent, passed the Senate in final approval and advances to the Governor's desk for his approval. The House Health Care Committee will continue to hear testimony on S.197, the primary care payment reform bill and voted this afternoon to advance S.163, the bill which now includes both APRNs and PAs in being hospital admitting and discharging providers. S.198, the tobacco retail licensing bill will be heard this week in the House Commerce Committee. |
|
|
Contact House Judiciary Committee – Protect Healthcare Settings from Civil Arrests
The House Judiciary Committee has begun to take testimony on S. 209. The bill as passed the Senate would protect individuals from civil arrest while traveling to, entering, remaining at, or returning from:
- Court proceedings
- Polling places
- Educational institutions
- Social service establishments
- Places of worship
- Licensed health care facilities
- Licensed child care centers
The bill is intended to help individuals feel safe from immigration enforcement actions while visiting these locations, although there has been committee discussion regarding whether Vermont law will apply to federal law enforcement agents.
Vermont physicians testified and shared statements regarding how the fear of immigration enforcement activities has impacted patient care. Please reach out to the House Judiciary Committee to share support and how the bill will help your patients or coworkers: mlalonde@leg.state.vt.us; tburditt@leg.state.vt.us; kchristie@leg.state.vt.us; aarsenault@leg.state.vt.us; kndolan@leg.state.vt.us; igoodnow@leg.state.vt.us; kgoslant@leg.state.vt.us; zharvey@leg.state.vt.us; amalay@leg.state.vt.us; toliver@leg.state.vt.us; brachelson@leg.state.vt.us |
|
|
Newly Released VT RHT Program Funding Opportunities – Mobile Units, Pharmacy Test to Treat
Vermont’s Agency of Human Services (AHS) has begun releasing Request for Proposals (RFPs) and Notice of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs) associated with the Rural Health Transformation (RHT) Program. All active NOFOs and RFPs can be found on this webpage: RHT Program RFPs/NOFOs. Funding opportunities will be added to this page as they are posted.
Three new RFPs/NOFOs were posted in the past week. They include a proposal to fund the purchase of mobile units and supplies, with an interest in funding mobile primary care, mental health, substance use disorder or dental care; as well as funding pharmacies to expand testing and treating for COVID, flu and strep.
If you have questions about any of the above funding opportunities, please direct those to the point of contact indicated on the specific RFP/NOFO to receive a timely and relevant response. Please do not direct questions about specific RFPs/NOFOs to the AHS general RHT email inbox.
If you are interested in joining the AHS’s RHT Program distribution list, which receives an email each Friday with new funding opportunities, please click here.
|
MISC.
|
CMS Rule Phases Out Fax Machines, Snail Mail For Claims Attachments
CMS has finalized a rule that establishes Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA)-adopted standards for health care claims attachments, enabling the secure electronic exchange of health care claims-related supporting clinical documentation such as medical records, x-rays and imaging, clinical notes, telemedicine visit documentation and laboratory results. Under the rule, HIPAA covered entities must:
- Use standardized electronic transactions when requesting or sending health care attachments
- Use standardized formats for clinical documents included in attachments
- Use compliant electronic signatures when attachments are signed electronically
The rule replaces manual processes such as faxing, mailing, or uploading documents to multiple proprietary portals.
The rule is effective on May 26, 2026 [60 days after publication in the Federal Register]. Covered entities must comply by May 26, 2028 [24 months of the effective date].
View the final rule in the Federal Register: https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2026-05676
Access the Fact Sheet and Frequently Asked Questions, covering topics including who must comply and how can practices prepare, visit: https://www.cms.gov/priorities/key-initiatives/burden-reduction/administrative-simplification/hipaa/events-latest-news |
|
|
Registration Open for Remaining 2026 Legislative Breakfasts
Meet your lawmakers and advocate for health care policies over coffee and a light breakfast at our 2026 Legislative Breakfasts! These breakfasts, which will all be held in the cafeteria from 8-9am at the Vermont Statehouse in Montpelier, are an informal opportunity to educate lawmakers on ways to improve Vermont's practice environment.
The Vermont Medical Society (VMS) will be trading off hosting the remaining breakfasts with the Vermont Academy of Family Physicians and the American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter.
Registration is now available! Register here.
American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter
Vermont Medical Society - All MD, DO, PA and Medical Students Encouraged to Join
Learn more and RSVP for any of the dates here. Please reach out to Jill Sudhoff-Guerin at jsudhoffguerin@vtmd.org if you have any questions. |
|
|
Clinician Recruitment: University of Vermont Perinatal Substance Use Care Research Study
Vermont clinicians are invited to participate in an IRB-approved research study to better understand current care practices, challenges, and workflows for perinatal patients with substance use disorder. Insights from participating providers will be analyzed alongside a de-identified chart review (2021-2023) to identify trends in MAT discontinuation and gaps in care. Providers involved in the care of perinatal patients with substance use disorder in the specialties of OBGYN, Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Addiction Medicine, and Psychiatry are invited to participate.
Choose the option most convenient for you:
- One-on-one interview (Zoom or Teams) (30 – 60 Minutes)
- Virtual focus group (Zoom or Teams) (30-60 Minutes)
- Anonymous REDCap Survey (no scheduling needed)
Use the link below to sign up: https://calendly.com/bazinetphillipsj If you would like more information before signing up or prefer to participate via an anonymous REDCap survey, please feel free to contact us by email at Jasmine.Bazinet-Phillips@med.uvm.edu or phone at (802)-847-7986. See more information on the survey flyer and information sheet. |
|
|
|
|
EVENTS
|
|
|
AI in Medicine Conference
April 10, 2026
Delta Hotel by Marriott, South Burlington, VT
Join the University of Vermont for this inaugural conference exploring the applications of AI in medicine. This event is appropriate for physicians, physician assistants, nursing, advanced practitioners, researchers, and other interested professionals.
Please visit the conference website and registration link here. |
|
|
AI and Violence: Exploring the Legal, Clinical, and Ethical Frontiers
April 10, 2026 10am to 4:30pm
Zoom
Join the Yale School of Medicine for this inaugural conference exploring the following topics: -
The Dangerous Intersection of Al, Mental Illness, and Violence
-
"There are No Limits!": Al Undressing Apps and the Normalization of Nonconsensual Intimate Deepfakes -
Generative AI-Chatbots, Legal Accountability, and Violence -
Artificial Empathy: Navigating the Moral Hazards of Al Mental Health Care
View the full conference agenda here and register here. |
|
|
Medetomidine Webinar
April 14, 2026 1pm to 2pm
Virtual
Medetomidine is a veterinary sedative, similar to yet more potent than xylazine, that is an emerging adulterant in the drug supply. It was first detected in 2022 and has become increasingly prevalent. This webinar will address what we know so far.
Learning Objectives: Participants will be able to:
- Describe the changing landscape of the opioid drug supply on the east coast
- Identify signs and symptoms of medetomidine intoxication and withdrawal
- List alpha agonist treatments available for medetomidine withdrawal
Learn more and register here.
|
|
|
The Greatest Contribution: A History of the National Library of Medicine with Stephen Greenberg
April 21, 2026 at 7pm
Zoom
Starting as a single shelf of books in the Army Surgeon-General’s small office, the National Library of Medicine has grown to be the world’s largest medical library. This presentation will examine the history of the NLM, and considers what its future might hold in the rapidly changing world of information technology.
Dr. Greenberg holds degrees both in history and library science and spent 29 years working at the National Library of Medicine where he served as Section Head for Rare Books and Early Manuscripts in NLM’s History of Medicine Division. Register here. |
|
|
Medication for Opioid Use Disorder ECHO 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. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
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. |
|
|
For more information about offerings from UVM
CMIE, visit here. |
|
|
|
|
Vermont Medical Society PO Box 153 Williamstown, VT 05679 -- Unsubscribe -- |
|
|
|
