|
|
|
|
NEED TO KNOW
|
|
|
VMS Members at the final 2026 legislative breakfast of the session pose for a picture with Senator Martine Larocque Gulick (left). From left to right: Katie Marvin, MD, Naiim Ali, MD, Paddy Payne, MS1 |
VMS Focus' this week on Primary Care Access Bill and Primary Care Funding in FY27 Budget
This week the House and Senate will name their FY27 Budget Conferees, in which 3 members from each chamber will conduct the final negotiations on the budget. The Senate-passed budget improved on the House version as it includes funding for:
The VMS Policy Team will be working to maintain these funding allocations amidst this austere budget cycle. Another key priority for the VMS is ensuring that S.71, the data privacy bill, includes a HIPPA entity level exemption. Last week, Jessa Barnard, the Executive Director of the VMS, testified representing approximately 12 health care organizations urging the House Commerce Committee to retain this exemption which was included in the Senate version of the bill. The Committee will continue working through the data privacy bill this week.
Here are some of the actions taking place this week on active bills VMS is tracking:
- Please Urge House Committees 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. The House Government Operations Committee will also be taking up the bill this Wednesday and Thursday. Email House Government Operations Committee members here to urge them to oppose S. 64: mbirong@leg.state.vt.us; LHango@leg.state.vt.us; cevans@leg.state.vt.us; lboyden@leg.state.vt.us; vlcoffin@leg.state.vt.us; JHooper@leg.state.vt.us; mmorgan@leg.state.vt.us; mmorgan@leg.state.vt.us; knugent@leg.state.vt.us; spinsonault@leg.state.vt.us; Kevin.Scully@vtleg.gov; mstone@leg.state.vt.us
- 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.190, the reference-based pricing bill, and S.189, a bill which proposes modifying the public process before hospitals reduce services, are both scheduled for possible votes in the House Health Care Committee this week.
- S.198, the tobacco retail licensing bill, is scheduled for a vote in House Human Services this week and will advance to House Ways and Means at the end of the week.
- S.230, which includes a provision that prohibits non-compete clauses for health care providers, is in the Sen. Economic Development Committee and the VMS will testify this week.
- S.278, the cannabis regulation bill that includes a provision allowing for direct delivery sales continues debate in the House Government Operations Committee.
- H.583, a private equity in healthcare bill, is scheduled for a vote in the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.
|
|
|
Urge House Health Care to Support S. 197 and Immediately Increase Primary Care Payments
Last Friday, the House Health Care Committee announced that this will be the week to discuss and make changes to S. 197, the bill related to primary care payment reform. Many members of the Committee expressed a desire to see the bill go further than what is currently drafted and begin to create an operational plan to move Vermont to a system of Universal Primary Care – typically understood to be a system of publicly financed primary care.
Please reach out to House Health Care Committee members this week to urge them that in addition to any examination of universal primary care, the bill should retain the sections of the bill that can immediately strengthen primary care payments based on Vermont’s existing Blueprint for Health payments, including:
- Section 2 – requires all insurers to contribute equally to Blueprint for Health patient centered medical home (PCMH) per member per month payments, meaning an immediate increase to PCMH payments
- Section 2 – requires AHS to establish a target for the amount of per-person per-month spending that should be for primary care services, to develop a schedule to increase the investment over time, and to direct these increases to the PCMH payments
- Section 3 – requires a report from AHS by January 1, 2027 with input from primary care practitioners how to transition PCMH payments to include paying for routine primary care services
While many VMS members share the goal of universal primary care access, primary care practices cannot wait for a new system of insurance to be established. They need a path to more sustainable payments now.
Contact members of House Health Care here: 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
See VMS’ summary and full testimony in support of S. 197 here.
The Committee’s growing interest in Universal Primary Care was particularly inspired by a public hearing last Thursday in which they invited Vermonters to provide recommendations on how the Legislature can improve access to primary care. In the approximate two-hour hearing clinicians – including a number of VMS members, patients and insured Vermonters spoke of the shortcomings both in providing care and receiving care. Topics include the overwhelming administrative burden PCPs face, the inability for middle income Vermonters to afford care on the Exchange, and the disparities of access to primary care across our State as primary care physicians are shifting to direct care or leaving the country. |
|
|
UVM Health Celebrates Ability to Use AI Scribe Technology for Telehealth Visits
A recent communication to clinicians from Ramsey Herrington, MD, Chief Physician Executive, University of Vermont Health recognized the importance of H. 84 being signed by Governor Phil Scott, removing the restriction on recording telehealth care in Vermont. His statement added that “This means our clinicians may now use Abridge ambient AI for telehealth, just as they do for in-person care….This follows more than two years of advocacy and education in support of enabling this tool for physician and APP wellbeing. I want to thank the Vermont Medical Society for their partnership and leadership in advancing this legislation. Ambient documentation has many positive benefits for our clinicians and patients, including reducing burnout, improving the patient experience, and increasing access.”
An article this week from VTDigger also highlights how AI scribe technology is improving work-life balance for many clinicians. VMS Board Member, Anne Morris, MD, is featured and “described how profoundly the technology has lessened the psychological weight of doctors’ never-ending administrative to-do list…. ‘It helps to take away some of that existential exhaustion,’” she said. |
MISC.
|
Changes Coming to Medicaid Member Enrollment
Federal rules are bringing changes to how some people apply for and stay enrolled in Medicaid. The Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA) is focused on explaining the changes, many which begin in 2027. A new section of the DVHA website - Federal Medicaid Changes: Vermont Impact - provides Vermonters with the needed information. It will be expanded as more resources and information are added.
What’s changing?
1. Medicaid eligibility for certain immigrants will take effect October 1, 2026.
2. From January 1, 2027, some adults aged 19-64 will need to meet community engagement, or work, requirements AND Medicaid eligibility will be reviewed every 6-months.
What’s next?
DVHA will begin reaching out to enrolled members later this summer. Additionally, providers will be getting an information toolkit to help build awareness among their patients. |
|
|
|
|
EVENTS
|
|
|
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. |
|
|
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 -- |
|
|
|
