All of Vermont's 14 hospitals are nonprofit — something Mr. Del Trecco said has streamlined communication and collaboration during this time to reopen closed services as quickly as possible.

I hope you all enjoyed the holiday and extended time with family and friends this week. In between time with our loved ones, we’ve been busy at VAHHS putting the finishing touches on two projects that I’m happy to share with you this week.

Saving for college is important. I know that, as the parent of two recent high school graduates. Whether students decide to go to college or to pursue a trade, training beyond high school always helps prepare them for what’s ahead.

My daughter, Jillian, will graduate from high school in a week. We’ll be “sort-of” empty nesters then. She’ll head to Quinnipiac in the fall with the ultimate goal of being a dentist.

Just when it seems impossible, the legislative session is wrapping up according to schedule.

S.36, the workplace violence bill, has passed both the House and the Senate and is going to the governor’s desk. Thank you to all the health care providers who contacted legislators—they heard you.

Hold on tight. This is when being in the building matters most. Language changes come in at the last minute and the addition or deletion of one word can make a big difference. See below for what we’ve been following.

On Friday evening, the Senate Appropriations Committee wrapped up their work on the FY 24 budget, and passed it out of their committee unanimously.

Last week provided a moment of reprieve as the fire alarm went off during the morning and we were all forced outside to enjoy the sun.

Going into this week, the big thing on my mind is the House Judiciary Committee’s discussion on the violence against health care workers bill, S.36.

Regulatory Flexibilities: The governor signed the COVID regulatory flexibilities bill, H.411, into law last week just shy of the March 31st deadline. VAHHS appreciates the quick work on this bill from the legislature and the governor’s office.

In Vermont, for both weather and the legislature, March is in like a lion and out like a lion. Last week wrapped up the crossover deadline for money bills.

I had the honor last week of attending a health care roundtable with Senator Peter Welch and United States Department of Agriculture undersecretary for rural development Xochitl Torres Small.

We’re officially in the second half of the session. Anything that didn’t get passed out of its committee of jurisdiction is dead… unless it’s a money bill; or dispensation is requested; or it is turned into a committee bill; or it gets tacked on to a different bill.

According to media reports, more than 40,000 graduating medical students found out where there will spend the next several years in medical residency and training on what is appropriately referred to as “Match Day” this past week.

… and, we’re back! Things were quiet last week without legislators in town, but this week will be a flurry of activity as committees try to make Friday’s crossover deadline

VAHHS will continue to push for solutions alongside our partners for as long as it takes. Our communities deserve the best care we can possibly deliver and that is what we are striving to achieve.

Happy Town Meeting Week! You may see your local legislator out in the wild at the grocery store or the transfer station. If you do, feel free to share the VAHHS Advocacy Agenda. Next week will be crossover week, where non-money bills must be voted out of committees or else remain on the wall until next year. Stay tuned!

Please take a few minutes to watch the video from our Workplace Violence Summit. I hope that you are moved to support S.36, now under consideration in the Vermont House, which is an important first step toward making this unacceptable violence stop.

As we head into town meeting week next week, the countdown to crossover has begun. Things are starting to move fast!