UVM Medical Center pauses construction of outpatient surgical center in light of budget gap

VBM

University of Vermont Medical Center is temporarily pausing construction of its planned outpatient surgical center. This decision comes as the hospital works to meet the obligations of Green Mountain Care Board orders that significantly reduce its budget for the new fiscal year, which began this month. These budget reductions are due in part to further budget reductions imposed by the Green Mountain Care Board related to increased patient demand for care that exceeded approved limits on the amount of care we provided last year. 

While planning related to the project may continue, active construction will be paused until next year at the earliest. UVMMC said in a statement that this decision is an early step of a difficult, but necessary process to reduce our budget, which will impact our ability to deliver the care patients need.

The GMCB had approved the building of the outpatient surgery center in a 3-2 vote on July 29, 2024.

When built, the new surgery center will increase the UVM Medical Center’s surgical capacity by initially adding eight operating rooms, 12 prep rooms, and 36 recovery spaces, which will include eight extended-stay recovery rooms. The project in South Burlington will also allow UVM Medical Center to shift all surgeries from its Fanny Allen operating rooms, which cannot be expanded or further updated. The project is estimated to cost $130 million.

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