Legislative Update
Devon Green, VP of Government Relations
Ah, spring at the State House. I started my draft last week with something about our roads being muddy but the session shaping up with the money committee crossover deadline on Friday. By Saturday I’m finding myself in a snowstorm and House appropriations postponing its formal vote on the FY’25 budget until Monday. We will have budget information next week, but see below for other updates and check out our bill tracker.
Medicaid Expansion: The House Ways and Means Committee financed the $21.9M bill for expanding the Medicare Savings Program by removing the deduction for global intangible low-taxed income and foreign-derived intangible income and increasing the corporate income tax to 10% for income over $25,000 along with increasing security fees. The expansion of the Medicare Savings Program is expected to bring in over $40M for low-income older Vermonters.
Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility: The Agency of Human Services and the Department of Mental Health answered questions from the House Health Care Committee on the proposed 15-bed stepdown psychiatric residential treatment facility. Vermont Care Partners, which represents Vermont’s designated agencies supports the facility, but also raised concerns about access throughout the care continuum. The committee will continue to take testimony on the topic and may add language to a Senate bill later in the session.
Flavored Tobacco: A huge thank you to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee for voting for S. 18, which prohibits Vermont retailers from selling flavored tobacco substitutes, e-liquids, and menthol-flavored tobacco products. The bill quickly went to the Senate Floor where it passed and is on its way to the governor’s desk. Concerns have been raised about loss of tax revenue resulting from the bill, which would go into effect in 2026, and it remains to be seen whether or not the Governor will sign the bill.
Age Strong Vermont Plan: The Vermont Department of Health presented their healthy aging plan to the House Health Care Committee. The report notes that the number of Vermonters 60 years and older has increased by 80% and presents a 10-year roadmap to adapting to older communities. The plan’s objectives are:
Reduce chronic diseases and comorbidities among older Vermonters.
Increase physical activity for older Vermonters.
Reduce food insecurity for all Vermonters.
Reduce fall-related deaths.
Prevent suicide among older Vermonters.
The Department stressed that a coordinated system of care is needed, particularly in the area of dementia diagnoses.