Healthcare (Hospitals)

passed both · Vermont · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SCR 10: Senate concurrent resolution honoring University of Vermont Medical Center and University of Vermont pediatrician extraordinaire Dr. Lewis R. First

This bill is a Senate concurrent resolution that formally honors Dr. Lewis R. First and the University of Vermont Medical Center for their contributions to pediatric care. The measure recognizes Dr. First's distinguished career, including his long tenure as the chair of pediatrics at the University of Vermont and his leadership at Golisano Children's Hospital. It highlights his professional achievements, such as editing a major medical journal and receiving numerous awards for his work in education and healthcare. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy of the document to Dr. First and the relevant medical institutions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill honors a pediatrician and medical center for contributions to pediatric care, recognizing their positive impact on healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Hospitals

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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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vetoed · Vermont · Senate May 29, 2026

S 190: An act relating to reference-based pricing and the Green Mountain Care Board

This bill requires Vermont hospitals and health insurers to adopt reference-based pricing for services, setting payment limits based on Medicare rates starting in 2027. It mandates hospitals to report all outsourced clinical services (like emergency medicine or radiology) in budget reviews, closing loopholes where outsourced revenue bypassed oversight. Hospitals must display pricing both as a percentage of Medicare rates and in dollars, and use unique identifiers for off-campus services. The goal is to ensure price transparency, apply cost controls across all hospital services, and prevent surprise bills for patients receiving outsourced care.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates hospital budget transparency and closes revenue loophole, promoting fiscal responsibility under Budget & Taxes75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates reference-based pricing and transparency for hospital services, aiming to control costs and close loopholes, improving patient access and affordability in healthcare.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicare

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2026

H 764: An act relating to inpatient psychiatric bed capacity

This bill removes the requirement for special approval when hospitals build or renovate psychiatric units, streamlining the process for expanding mental health services. It creates a Psychiatric Inpatient Capacity Working Group - comprising mental health officials, patient advocates, and healthcare professionals - to study bed shortages, identify barriers to expansion, and recommend a 25% increase in statewide inpatient psychiatric beds by July 2028. The group must submit its findings and recommendations to legislative committees by January 2027, with the policy changes taking effect on July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects hospitals seeking to expand psychiatric services, the state mental health system, and patients requiring inpatient care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves approval barriers for psychiatric unit expansion and mandates 25% bed increase by 2028 via working group, directly advancing mental health service access and capacity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 7, 2026

H 586: An act relating to limiting facility fees for certain hospital outpatient department services

This bill limits how much hospitals can charge for specific outpatient department services through facility fees. It directly affects hospitals in Vermont that bill patients for these services, including procedures like imaging or lab tests performed outside of inpatient stays. The key provision sets a cap on facility fees for certain outpatient services, preventing hospitals from charging excessive amounts beyond standard costs. The bill aims to reduce unexpected costs for patients receiving non-emergency outpatient care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCaps hospital facility fees for outpatient services to prevent excessive patient costs, improving affordability and access to care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 15, 2026

H 691: An act relating to breastfeeding education and support

H.691 requires health insurance plans to cover breastfeeding equipment, education, and counseling (including lactation support) without cost-sharing like deductibles or copays. It also mandates hospitals with maternity units to adopt infant-feeding policies promoting breastfeeding, aligned with the Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative, and to communicate these policies to staff and patients. The bill directly affects mothers and newborns by improving access to breastfeeding support through insurance and hospital practices. Key provisions include eliminating out-of-pocket costs for breastfeeding services and requiring hospitals to implement evidence-based feeding policies. The law takes effect January 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for breastfeeding equipment/education without cost-sharing, improving maternal health access per Baby-Friendly Hospital standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 7, 2026

H 596: An act relating to completion of a mental health screening after administration of an opioid antagonist

This bill (H.596) requires Vermont hospitals to provide mental health screenings to patients treated for opioid overdoses after they receive an opioid antagonist (like naloxone). It directly affects hospitals and patients experiencing opioid overdoses in Vermont. The key provision amends Vermont law (18 V.S.A. § 4257) to add this screening requirement to the state's opioid overdose response strategy, specifically under hospital referral services. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health screenings for opioid overdose patients in hospitals, strengthening mental health services within healthcare response protocols.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Substance Abuse

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 164: An act relating to health benefits for members of the General Assembly

This bill (S.164) makes members of Vermont's General Assembly eligible for the same health insurance benefits as state employees. It amends state law to include legislators under the definition of "employees" for health coverage, requiring them to pay the same cost-sharing portion (premium) as Executive Branch employees. The change applies to group hospital-surgical-medical expense insurance, employee assistance programs, and flexible spending accounts already offered to state workers. The policy takes effect January 1, 2027, extending existing benefits to legislators without creating new coverage or altering benefit levels.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends existing state employee health benefits to legislators, ensuring parity in coverage without expanding new programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Insurance

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 530: An act relating to establishing a forensic facility

This bill proposes creating a specialized forensic facility in Vermont for individuals involved in the criminal justice system who meet specific criteria for involuntary mental health treatment. It directly affects people facing criminal charges or sentencing who require court-ordered psychiatric care under state commitment laws. The key provision establishes a dedicated facility to provide structured mental health treatment and supervision for these individuals, separate from general correctional or hospital settings. The bill aims to address the intersection of mental health care and criminal justice by creating a specialized environment for those needing involuntary commitment. It does not alter existing commitment standards but provides a new facility to meet these needs.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill creates specialized forensic facility for mental health treatment of criminal justice-involved individuals, promoting rehabilitation and reform within the system.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates dedicated forensic facility for involuntary mental health treatment, directly advancing mental health services under healthcare topic.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Sentencing Hospitals Mental Health

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signed · Vermont · Senate May 7, 2026

S 163: An act relating to the role of advanced practice providers in hospital care

This bill (S.163) amends Vermont law to explicitly allow advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) to serve as the primary health care coordinator for hospital patients, alongside physicians. It updates the "Patient’s Bill of Rights" to state that patients have the right to know the identity and professional status of the provider primarily responsible for their care - including an APRN - and to receive information from that provider. Hospitals must now clearly communicate this information to patients upon admission and post it at nurse stations, including the option to contact licensing agencies for complaints. The bill directly affects Vermont hospitals, patients receiving inpatient care, and APRNs practicing in hospital settings. It clarifies existing practice without imposing new requirements on APRNs or hospitals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands APRN roles in patient coordination, enhances patient rights via transparent provider identification, improving access to care without restricting coverage.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals