Advocacy
VAHHS represents its member hospitals at the state and federal level with advocacy that ensures Vermont’s not-for-profit hospitals can continue to provide the very best care, while advancing important reforms to bring down costs for patients and strengthen our local economy.
VAHHS uses the following principles to direct all advocacy efforts:
Integrated Compassionate Mental Health Care
Access to Vermont's Top-Rated Health Care System
Better Health for Vermonters
Coordinated Care at Lower Costs
Legislative Efforts
Each legislative session in Vermont spans two years with legislators meeting from January through May. Vermont also has a citizen legislature, meaning that most Vermonters who serve also have a full-time occupation besides being a legislator. Each biennium session brings different priorities and challenges, but VAHHS is always there to provide lawmakers with the tools and perspectives they need to make informed decisions about rural health care.
Legislative Update
Read Devon’s legislative update, included in our weekly newsletter, to learn more about VAHHS’ work with the legislature.
VAHHS 2024 Bill Tracker
The status of Vermont Legislative bills are updated every Monday. To learn more about a bill, click on the bill number to be directed to its legislative page.
Bills in Process
Bill | Description | Status |
---|---|---|
S.211 | Health care reform and regulatory duties of the GMCB | Not advancing |
H.766 | Claims edits, prior authorizations, step therapy, and direct billing | Passed House |
H.721 | Medicaid expansion | Passed Committee |
S.151 | Pay parity and transparency in health care | Not advancing |
S.263 | Expanding Vermont's health care workforce through graduates of international medical schools | Not advancing |
S.183 | Planning for the Agency of Health Care Administration | Passed Senate |
S.109 | Medicaid coverage for doulas | Passed Senate |
S.98 | GMCB authority over prescription drug costs | Passed Committee |
H.622 | Emergency medical services | Passed Committee |
S.311 | Housing | Passed Committee |
H.121 | Data privacy | Passed House |
S.9 | State auditor to examine the books and records of State contractors | Passed Senate, In House Committee |
H.379 | Criminal liability protection for good faith health care services | Not advancing |
H.80 | Licensure of freestanding birth centers | Not advancing |
H.741 | Health insurance coverage for colorectal cancer | Passed House |
H.621 | Health insurance coverage for diagnostic breast imaging | Passed House |
H.861 | Pay parity for health services provided through telemedicine and audio only telephone | Passed House, In Senate Committee |
H.847 | Peer Support Provider and Recovery Support Specialists Certification | Passed House, In Senate Committee |