VAHHS Update
Vermont hospitals seek balance, never profit
Earlier this summer, each Vermont hospital went before their regulator, the Green Mountain Care Board, to present and defend their budget and answer questions from the board and its staff. This is just one part of a months-long process.
CMS to Launch new state-based, total-cost-of-care reimbursement model
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services will select up to eight states to participate in a new voluntary all-payer model that aims to curb health care cost growth, improve population health, and advance health equity by reducing disparities in health outcomes.
Dr. Ben Smith: In health care, you can’t get more for less. Sometimes less is just less.
It is critical that policymakers and health care executives vigorously question the notion that our rural hospitals can safely sustain further downward budgetary pressure.
2 of every 3 beds empty as state psychiatric hospital tackles doctor transitions, staffing costs
The Vermont Psychiatric Care Hospital in Berlin stopped admitting new patients during parts of June and July, leading to the lowest numbers of patients in residence since the hospital opened in the summer of 2014.
It's okay to not be okay' Gov. Scott urges Vermonters to focus on their mental health
Coming off several years of the COVID-19 pandemic and the most recent devastating flooding in July, Gov. Phil Scott and mental health officials on Wednesday urged Vermonters to check in on themselves and their neighbors with a focus of not only their physical, but mental health wellbeing.
NEK hospital works with WHO to support breastfeeding
World Breastfeeding Month is in August but Vermont hospitals are keeping conversations on the topic going.
UVM Medical Center hopeful for promising results from RSV vaccine research
RSV spiked in Vermont last fall, but the medical community is hopeful that won’t happen this year thanks to an immunization a decade in the making.
The Deeper Dig: 'It dominates anxiety' - unpacking the process and impact of health insurance premium hikes
Earlier this month, the Green Mountain Care Board made a decision that would affect most people and companies that get their health care through the state’s health insurance marketplace.
Answering your questions about COVID-19 in Vermont this fall
This summer has shown some of the lowest COVID-19 numbers nationwide since the start of the pandemic. However, recently there has been a small increase in cases seen nationwide and in Vermont, and a new variant — EG.5, which is a member of the omicron family.
Health Watch: New treatment available for postpartum depression
The FDA earlier this month approved what experts describe as a game changer and ray of hope for women’s health -- the first-ever pill for treating postpartum depression, and manufacturers say zuranolone could be commercially available as soon as October.
UVM epidemiologist answers questions about recent COVID uptick, new vaccine
COVID-19 cases nationwide are starting to tick up, and Vermont is seeing that trend, too. Dr. Tim Plante, a general internist, epidemiologist and assistant professor at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine, answered questions about this newest wave, and when you can plan to get your next booster.
Health care regulators consider double-digit rate hikes at some Vt. hospitals
Health care regulators are considering double-digit increases for Vermont hospital budgets. If some of those new hospital budgets are approved, it would increase what you pay out of pocket.
Vt. hospitals partner to help babies in need of critical care
A new partnership between Vermont hospitals could be a lifesaver for babies in need of critical care. The technology connects rural doctors with specialists at the UVM Medical Center.
Waterbury Ambulance, Copley Hospital react to growing costs for new facility projects
Mounting development costs to build a new ambulance station and medical offices along Route 100 in Waterbury Center have Waterbury Ambulance Service leaders eyeing a new site downtown and Copley Hospital officials asking the state to revise its project approval.
As Vermont records its 1,000th Covid death, hospitalizations tick up
Statewide hospital admissions related to Covid rose to 25 in the past week, a distinct increase but still far below previous peaks of the virus.
Efforts to tackle the growing mental health crisis in Addison county
There was a meeting of minds in Middlebury on Thursday when Vermont Congresswoman Becca Balint, Vermont Mental Health Commissioner Alison Krompf and other state leaders met to discuss the growing mental health crisis in Addison County.
Rutland Regional Medical Center presents budget, eyes rate increase
Rutland Regional Medical Center made its case for a 5.6% rate increase to state health care regulators this week.
UVM Medical Center research could boost quality of life for cancer patients
New research from the University of Vermont Medical Center could provide a big boost in the quality of life for some cancer patients with deadly blood clots.
Attacks at US medical centers show why health care is one of the nation's most violent fields
Word spread through an Oregon hospital last month that a visitor was causing trouble in the maternity ward, and nurses were warned the man might try to abduct his partner’s newborn.
Vermont regulators trim health insurance premium increases
The two insurance companies that offer health care plans through Vermont Health Connect to individuals and small employers will be able to increase premiums by double digits in 2024.