VAHHS Update
Auditor finds state falls short on long-term care oversight
Vermont state regulators have been treating rule-breaking at residential care homes and assisted living residences with less urgency than is required for skilled nursing homes, according to a report released Wednesday by the Office of the State Auditor.
What's next for telehealth as patients return in person and emergency status ends
Telehealth appointments took over during the pandemic, but now in-office is the norm again.
Higher costs led to big hospital system losses in Vermont in 2022
As predicted, 2022 was a challenging fiscal year for Vermont’s 14 community hospitals, which as a group registered almost $62 million operating loss. Hospitals have said that those losses, already creating instability, will only deepen unless regulators change their oversight methods.
Vt. regulators give UVM Health Network ‘flexibility’ on $18M mental health spending plan
Vermont’s mental health care system was under the microscope again Wednesday as state regulators unanimously voted to give the UVM Health Network greater flexibility on how it spends funds originally earmarked for adult inpatient psychiatric care.
FEMA awards Vermont hospitals over $3M for staffing during pandemic
FEMA awarded the state of Vermont over $3 million to help with COVID-19 hospital staffing costs.
A Walk-In Center for People Facing Mental Health Crises Is Proposed for the NEK
Urgent care for the mind — that's the idea behind a new proposal to improve mental health care in the Northeast Kingdom.
Hospital heads, Peter Welch discuss rural health care challenges
The CEOs of two northern Vermont hospitals spoke soberly with U.S. Sen. Peter Welch, D-Vt., and federal and state administrators Friday morning about their concerns for the future at a roundtable discussion that also celebrated the awards of two long-term, low-interest federal loans.
Wright takes over as NMC CEO; Two months in, he’s bringing the ‘secret sauce’
After the pandemic flipped the healthcare industry on its back, Northwestern Medical Center is picking up the pieces.
Get paid to enroll in college? Yes, it's for real at some community colleges
Elizabeth Smith, a stay-at-home mom of six in southern Vermont, recently re-enrolled in school when the Community College of Vermont made an offer she couldn't refuse: $3,500 a semester deposited in her bank account, no strings attached.
UVM senior medical students’ futures revealed at Match Day March 17
The University of Vermont’s graduating medical students are among a record-breaking 43,000* future physicians participating in the National Resident Matching Program’s (NRMP) 2023 Main Residency Match, the results of which will be revealed on Match Day on Friday, March 17.
AI in the ER: The potential role of chatbots in Vt. hospitals
Industries are figuring out what to do with artificial intelligence and now that includes the medical field.
Vermont Senate gives initial approval to abortion ‘omnibus’ bill seeking to protect reproductive health care
In a preliminary vote on Thursday, the Vermont Senate advanced a sweeping bill that seeks to further strengthen the state’s existing protections to reproductive health care access, including abortion and gender-affirming care.
Less staff, longer delays and fewer options: Rural America confronts a health care crisis
More than 40,000 graduating medical students learned Friday where they will spend the next three to seven years of their medical training.
OneCare primary care payments likely to continue
Dozens of primary care practices are likely to receive all or close to all of the accountable care organization funds they anticipated in 2023, two recent developments suggest.
NBC5 In Depth: Interview with UVM Health Network President and CEO Dr. Sunny Eappen
Dr. Sunny Eappen arrived in Burlington last November, from a top position at Brigham and Women's hospital in Boston.
Care board pushes off vote on inpatient psychiatric care funds
The Green Mountain Care Board continues to wrestle with how to handle funds held by the University of Vermont Health Network earmarked for increasing inpatient psychiatric care.
North Country Hospital welcomes Tom Frank as new CEO
North Country Hospital has announced the appointment of Tom Frank as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective April 17, 2023.
Federal law protects some Vermonters losing UnitedHealthcare coverage
Vermonters losing health insurance coverage because UnitedHealthcare canceled its contract with the University of Vermont Health Network are protected by a federal law
UVM Medical Center Board of Trustees welcomes Chu, Hindes, Sussman, Wang
The UVM Medical Center Board of Trustees recently appointed four new trustees, adding individuals with experience in health care administration, diagnostic radiology, professional development and diversity, equity and inclusion to the 15-member board.
MedQuest Program returns this summer
Southern Vermont Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is offering two sessions of their popular MedQuest Program this summer at Rutland Regional Medical Center, Springfield Hospital, and North Star Health.