Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 859: An act relating to psychedelic therapy and clinical drug development trials

H 859 establishes a Psychedelic Therapy Advisory Board to review research on psychedelic therapy's benefits for mental health and substance use disorders, and to recommend state programs allowing therapeutic use of psychedelics. The bill requires Vermont's Department of Health to contract with a Vermont entity to conduct clinical drug development trials specifically for ibogaine - a treatment being studied for substance use disorders and trauma. The Advisory Board will assess public health impacts, monitor other states' programs, and propose pilot projects for psychedelic-assisted therapy in end-of-life care or for mental health conditions. This directly affects Vermont's healthcare system, mental health providers, and individuals seeking treatment for conditions resistant to current therapies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes advisory board and clinical trials for psychedelic therapy to treat mental health/substance use disorders, expanding treatment options and supporting mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 853: An act relating to expanded use of contingency management therapy and neurofeedback in Vermont’s health care and criminal justice systems

H.853 proposes expanding access to contingency management therapy (a behavioral treatment) and neurofeedback (a brain-training technique) within Vermont's health care and criminal justice systems. The bill would appropriate funds for existing programs using these methods, require studies on broader implementation, and create new pilot programs specifically for justice-involved individuals. This directly affects Vermont's health care providers, criminal justice agencies, and people involved with the justice system seeking recovery support.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands rehabilitation programs (contingency management/neurofeedback) for justice-involved individuals, aiming to reduce recidivism through funding and pilot programs in criminal justice systems.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates funds for behavioral therapies and neurofeedback in healthcare systems, expands access via pilot programs, and mandates studies for implementation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 852: An act relating to developing a blue zone blueprint

H 852 requires Vermont's Agency of Human Services and stakeholders to develop a "blue zone blueprint" after completing a public engagement campaign. The campaign must include education, media outreach, and community input to establish a shared statewide definition of "blue zone" and assess existing community resources, needs, and service gaps. This blueprint will identify opportunities for Vermont communities to pursue "blue zone" status, which typically emphasizes longevity and healthy lifestyles. The bill focuses on a collaborative planning process rather than immediate policy changes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill develops community health blueprint promoting longevity and healthy lifestyles through public engagement, aligning with public health program goals by assessing resource gaps and identifying community health opportunities.85% confidence

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 17, 2026

H 903: An act relating to information collected by providers during first and second certification

H 903 requires Vermont healthcare providers (physicians and psychiatrists) issuing mental health certification certificates under 18 V.S.A. §§ 7504 and 7508 to consider behavioral information from sources like family, caregivers, school staff, or law enforcement about the patient’s days/weeks prior to evaluation. It prohibits providers from relying solely on a patient’s immediate clinical presentation to determine if they meet the legal standard for "person in need of treatment." Instead, providers must also document additional risk information not visible during the exam, such as patterns of behavior observed outside a clinical setting. This bill directly affects mental health professionals making involuntary treatment certification decisions in Vermont.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires providers to consider broader behavioral context (not just immediate symptoms) for mental health certifications, preventing hasty decisions and protecting patient rights in mental health evaluations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 18, 2026

H 908: An act relating to establishing a statewide Parkinson’s disease registry

This bill establishes a statewide Parkinson's disease registry in Vermont. It would create a centralized database to collect health data from Vermont residents diagnosed with Parkinson's disease. The registry aims to track patient demographics, treatment outcomes, and disease progression to improve understanding of the condition within the state. This directly affects Vermont residents living with Parkinson's disease and healthcare providers treating them. The registry would serve as a resource for research and potential policy development related to Parkinson's care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes statewide Parkinson's registry for public health data collection, improving disease understanding and patient care through centralized health data tracking.95% confidence

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 3, 2026

H 848: An act relating to limiting facility fees for certain outpatient services and telehealth

This bill prohibits Vermont hospitals and hospital networks from charging facility fees for certain outpatient services (like routine check-ups using standard medical codes) and telehealth appointments. It requires hospitals to provide patients with written notice of any applicable facility fees before services are delivered. The law specifically targets fees separate from professional medical charges, aiming to reduce unexpected costs for patients. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prohibits facility fees for outpatient services/telehealth, reducing unexpected costs and improving patient access to care. Directly supports healthcare affordability and transparency.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Telehealth

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 6, 2026

H 890: An act relating to reducing barriers to nonprofit religious organizations providing preventive health care services

This bill (H.890) proposes to reduce legal or administrative barriers preventing nonprofit religious organizations from providing preventive health care services directly to the public. It specifically targets organizations that operate under religious principles but wish to offer services like vaccinations, screenings, or wellness programs. The bill aims to streamline their ability to deliver these services without unnecessary regulatory hurdles. This would directly affect eligible religious nonprofits and the communities they serve through expanded access to preventive care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes regulatory barriers for religious orgs to provide preventive care (vaccinations, screenings), expanding patient access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 16, 2026

H 709: An act relating to limiting overtime for medical interns, resident physicians, and physicians

This bill sets a 60-hour weekly maximum for medical interns, resident physicians, and physicians, with no single shift exceeding 16 hours. It requires at least 16 consecutive hours off duty after any 16-hour shift. The law directly affects healthcare trainees and physicians working in Vermont hospitals and medical programs. These provisions aim to limit extended work periods without specifying enforcement or penalties.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill limits medical trainees' work hours to prevent fatigue, directly regulating healthcare workforce conditions to support system safety and provider well-being.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentLimits work hours for medical trainees to prevent fatigue, enhancing workplace safety for healthcare workers under Labor & Employment protections.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Labor Standards

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 535: An act relating to establishing a competency restoration program

This bill establishes a competency restoration program within Vermont's Department of Mental Health. It directly affects individuals charged with certain felonies who have been found by a court to be incompetent to stand trial due to a mental illness. The program provides structured treatment and support to help these individuals regain the mental capacity needed to participate in their legal proceedings. The bill mandates the Department of Mental Health to operate this program as a formal state service.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEstablishes competency restoration program for mentally ill defendants, promoting rehabilitation within criminal justice system per reform indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes mental health program for competency restoration, directly supporting mental health services as defined in topic95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Mental Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 580: An act relating to public employee health benefits and State health care cost transparency

H.580 would create a unified public employees' health plan covering current and retired State, school, municipal, and university workers in Vermont. It establishes an independent commission to design the plan and set cost-sharing between employers and employees, while removing health care from collective bargaining. The bill requires all public employee health insurance costs to be tracked in a single budget line item, mandating annual transparency reports on total costs, cost per covered person, and year-over-year trends. It also directs the Governor’s budget to present public employee health benefits and Medicaid costs together, along with detailed breakdowns of expenditures for other state health programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates unified public employee health plan expanding coverage for State, school, municipal, and university workers, mandating cost transparency and removing health care from collective bargaining.95% confidence ✗ Labor & EmploymentOpposes Labor & EmploymentRemoves health care from collective bargaining, directly restricting workers' ability to negotiate benefits under labor agreements.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Collective Bargaining Public Employees

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