VAHHS Update
Vermont hospitals curb nursing shortage by training other hospital employees
As staff shortages at Vermont’s hospitals persist, one potential solution being used at hospitals across New England involves training current hospital employees to become nurses.
GMCB public hearings to focus on future of rural hospitals
Vermonters will be able to weigh in on the future of rural health care at hearings starting Tuesday. Most of Vermont’s 14 hospitals are in some form of financial trouble and state regulators want to hear from people about what’s working and what isn’t.
UVM Health Network front-line workers discuss horrors stories of workplace violence
A video recently published by the New York Times is sparking new discussions about workplace violence in health care settings.
Forbes data study: Vermont ranks fifth among the best states for healthcare
Accessing affordable, high-quality healthcare is a challenge for Americans nationwide.
Vermont State University announces major expansion to its nursing programs
Vermont State University (VTSU) recently announced that it will expand its nursing program and facilities to enroll more students. The Williston and Johnson campuses of VTSU will undergo substantial renovation to expand the nursing education center at Williston and create a new nursing education center at Johnson.
No deal for UnitedHealthcare and UVM Health Network
The two parties agreed to extend their current arrangement through February 2024, giving affected patients two additional months to either change insurers or change providers.
Mental health urgent care takes root in Vermont
The Access Hub, newly opened in downtown Montpelier, is nothing like the emergency department at Central Vermont Medical Center, about 4 miles away.
What the deal between Blue Cross of Vermont and Michigan means for local policy holders
Vermont’s largest private health insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, is now a subsidiary of a much larger counterpart in Michigan. State regulators approved the new relationship last week.
Where the GOP speaker candidates stand on health policy
The race for House speaker is on with two staunch conservatives — Reps. Steve Scalise (La.) and Jim Jordan (Ohio) — officially vying for the post. House Republicans are scheduled to hold a candidate forum later today after the chamber was thrust into unprecedented chaos last week.
Grace Cottage recognized as major LGBTQ+ ally
After earning a top ranking for LGBTQ+ health care service last year, Grace Cottage Family Health and Hospital's Health Equity Team is continuing to seek progress.
How to Prevent a High-Impact Cyberattack
Health care remains under siege from ransomware perpetrators. Ransomware accounted for nearly 70% of the successful cyberattacks on health care organizations, according to Verizon’s 2023 Data Breach Investigations Report.
Results from 2020 Tax-Exempt Hospitals' Schedule H Community Benefits Report
Every hospital and health system’s mission is to always care for their patients and communities. Even during a once-in-a-century pandemic, hospitals continued to provide a comprehensive range of benefits, programs and essential services.
Audit finds thousands of Vermonters wrongly charged for contraceptive care
Thousands of Vermonters will receive reimbursement checks after a state investigation found they were wrongly charged out of pocket by their insurance companies for contraceptive care.
Regulators approve control of Vermont Blue Cross Blue Shield by larger Michigan insurer
Vermont’s largest private health insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, has become a subsidiary of its much larger Michigan counterpart.
In Robin Lunge, Green Mountain Care Board keeps experienced policy hand
Gov. Phil Scott has reappointed Robin Lunge, a lawyer with long experience in Vermont health care policy, to a six-year term on the Green Mountain Care Board.
What are emergency room wait times in Vermont? Here's what different groups report
Becker's defines wait time as the time patients spend in the ER before leaving. The research examined data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a federal agency, from Jan. 7, 2020, to March 31, 2021.
How Vermont's all-payer ACO model paves the way for value-based care
As its name states, the Vermont All-Payer Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Model is an arrangement that incorporates patients with both private and public healthcare coverage, but what makes this model so appealing to providers?
St. Johnsbury hospital seeing increase in emergency room assaults
Hospital officials in St. Johnsbury say they’re growing more concerned about violence in the emergency department.
VAHHS: Hospital leaders make kits for children in emergency departments
In what has now become an annual tradition, health care leaders at the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (VAHHS) Annual Meeting on September 21 and 22 set aside time to do a service project for the community.
Residential recovery program prepares to open in Ludlow
A residential treatment facility for addiction is preparing to open in Ludlow. It was made possible by the Divided Sky Foundation, which was started by Phish frontman Trey Anastasio.