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NEED TO KNOW
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S.64 One Step Closer to Passage – Contact House Members!
On Thursday, the House Government Operations Committee voted 6-5 to oppose any amendments to S.64 and then voted the bill out as introduced by a vote of 7-4. The bill now authorizes optometrists to perform certain lasers and eye surgery with limited training or experience. Thank you for your outreach to the Committee in support of amendments to strengthen patient safety such as moving oversight of these procedures to the Board of Medical Practice – the Committee did hear from many of you.
Attention now turns to the full House. Please contact your Representatives(s) with a focus on your concern with the bill, and also make the point that that some members of the House Government Operations Committee tried to amend the bill to add patient safety safeguards, but unfortunately, they did not pass. Without any meaningful amendments to increase training and patient safety, please ask your Representatives to vote no on S.64. Find contact information for your representative(s) here. |
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Legislature Approaches Adjournment, VMS Priorities Move Forward
With the end of the legislative session on the horizon – most indications are pointing to adjournment this Friday or Saturday – more bills being followed by VMS are approaching the finish line. VMS will prepare a comprehensive summary of enacted legislation after the conclusion of the session. It’s not too early to request a legislative update for your practice or medical staff – contact jbarnard@vtmd.org to request a presentation. An update on action on VMS priority bills includes:
State budget –as the conference committee considering the FY2026 State Budget moves towards agreement on state funding, VMS priority asks have been included – restoring funding for AHEC primary care loan repayment and physician placement services, as well as a one time boost to primary care rates of $3.7 million.
- H. 816, a bill related to the use of artificial intelligence in mental health services, went to a conference committee and changes were agreed upon last week. The bill prohibits the provision of mental health services by a corporation or entity, including through the use of artificial intelligence, to the public unless the mental health services are provided by a mental health professional or part of an IRB study. A violation of this provision by a licensed mental health professional, including a psychiatrist, would be considered unprofessional conduct.
- S. 197, the primary care payment reform bill, passed the House last week and the Senate Health and Welfare Committee reviewed the changes today. The Committee will recommend to the full Senate to concur with the changes made by the House. The bill still includes VMS-supported measures that will require all payers to contribute equally to the Blueprint Patient Centered Medical Home payments and requires the Agency of Human Services to set a primary care investment target.
- S. 71, a comprehensive consumer data privacy bill, passed the House Economic Development Committee by a vote of 11-0-0 last Friday night. Closely watched by VMS and a number of health care associations, the bill currently includes important exemptions for HIPAA-covered entities and business associates, as well as health care facilities that comply with HIPAA but may not be HIPAA-covered entities because they do not engage in electronic transactions, such as free clinics. It is unclear how the Senate will respond to the latest draft as their bill differs in significant ways from the House version.
- S. 64, the bill to allow optometrists to perform certain laser and surgical procedures, passed the House Government Operations Committee last week by a vote of 7-4-0, absent any amendments to increase oversight or educational requirements, and is likely headed to House floor tomorrow or Thursday. See the action alert above.
- S. 230, a bill that would, among other things, prohibit the use of non-competes, nonsolicitation agreements and nondisparagement clauses in employment contracts in health care, has been supported by VMS throughout the legislative process. The bill language has gone through a number of twists and turns and as of publication, the House is working to add the health care language to another bill to keep it moving towards adoption.
- S.198, a tobacco control bill that bans the sale of deceptive nicotine products, including vapes that look like toys and school supplies, passed the legislature last week. This bill would also close loopholes in retail tobacco sales by limiting the purchase of tobacco products online to wholesalers. The bill would also remove monetary penalties from youth for nicotine product possession, use and attempt to purchase. Youth who are caught attempting to purchase with a fake ID can now choose to enroll in a cessation program as an alternative to 10 hours of community service. The bill awaits being sent to the Governor's desk for his signature.
- S.278, a cannabis regulation bill that as introduced would have removed the THC potency caps, is on the House calendar with a number of proposed amendments for a full debate today. One of the amendments includes removing the proposal that would increase the edible package size from 100mg to 200mgs and another amendment seeks to clarify that no consumption is allowed at the public events.
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DMH Quarterly Update - May Linked here please find the most recent Quarterly Update from the Vermont Department of Mental Health. The report provides an update on bed availability, as well as on topics including mental health urgent cares, mobile crisis, and the Southern Vermont Medical Center’s Youth Inpatient Facility. |
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Reminder - Grant Opportunity to Purchase AI Transcription/Scribe Technology Due June 5
Vermont’s Agency of Human Services released a grant opportunity funded by the Rural Health Transformation Program to provide funds to providers to purchase or lease Artificial Intelligence (AI) transcription/scribe technology both for those healthcare organizations that do not have it and for those that wish to expand the use of or upgrade existing AI transcription/scribe technology to support rural communities.
See the full bid description here. The page has also now been updated to include a Q&A document. Applications are due by June 5, 2026.
Three additional grant opportunities are also open to medical practices – funding for telehealth platforms, remote patient monitoring equipment and e-consult platforms. Responses to these grants are due June 10th. |
MISC.
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CDC HAN: Ebola Disease (Bundibugyo Virus) Outbreak
An outbreak of Ebola disease caused by the Bundibugyo virus (BVD) has been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), with related cases also identified in Uganda.
No cases have been identified in the U.S. and the risk to the public remains low. However, CDC and the Health Department are raising awareness of this outbreak as a precaution because U.S. passport holders traveling from affected areas may enter the U.S.
Clinicians should be aware of the signs and symptoms of Ebola disease, as well as the signs and symptoms of other more common travel-associated diseases, like malaria. Read more information and full CDC HAN here and Vermont Department of Health Alert Network message here. |
EVENTS
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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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AMA Independent Practice Accelerator
Workshop
Sep. 11–12 | Chicago, IL
Thinking about starting or growing an independent practice? Get
the essential knowledge, practical skills and confidence you need to
launch a new practice or strengthen the one you already have! The AMA
Independent Practice Accelerator Workshop is a two-day, in-person event
designed exclusively for physicians. Register today to get on the fast track
to independent practice success.
International Conference on Physician
Health™ (ICPH) 2026
Sponsored by the American Medical Association, British Medical
Association, and Canadian Medical Association, ICPH 2026 offers
meaningful conversations, practical takeaways, and connections that last well
beyond the event. Both virtual and in-person attendance
options available! Register today. |
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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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Save the Date: Vermont ACP Annual Scientific Meeting
October 9th at Trapp Family Lodge, Stowe, VT
The Vermont ACP Chapter's Annual Scientific Meeting will occur on Friday, October 9, 2026. This will be an in-person meeting with no virtual option. We will again host a poster competition for resident and student members.
Meeting details and agenda forthcoming. |
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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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