H.140 creates a state grant program to fund community nurses and care coordinators working with Vermont municipalities, primarily benefiting rural residents with complex health needs. Municipalities can apply for grants up to $10,000 annually to establish or expand these programs, requiring clear financial management, legislative approval, and plans for long-term funding. The bill appropriates $200,000 annually starting in fiscal year 2026 to support this initiative, aiming to improve health outcomes and reduce overuse of hospitals. The program will take effect on July 1, 2025, with grants administered by the Department of Health.
H 69 requires Vermont health care providers to report significant side effects after vaccinations (even if unsure if the vaccine caused them) to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. The Vermont Department of Health must then annually report to the legislature by January 15, including total adverse reactions, breakdowns by vaccine type/lot/age, emergency visits, hospitalizations, and support for compensation claims under federal law. This report will be posted online and shared with providers. The bill affects health care practitioners administering vaccines and the Department of Health, taking effect July 1, 2025.
This bill prohibits using geofencing technology within 1,850 feet of reproductive health care facilities to track or target patients, and bans law enforcement from obtaining "reverse keyword warrants" that identify people searching online for reproductive health services. It directly affects individuals seeking reproductive care (by protecting their location and search privacy), health care facilities (by restricting surveillance near their locations), and law enforcement (by banning specific surveillance methods). Key provisions include banning location-based tracking via apps or devices, preventing targeted messaging to patients near clinics, and prohibiting government entities from seeking warrants based on online search terms related to reproductive health. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, with violations punishable by up to $500 per offense.
H 267 establishes the Vermont Hospital Security Plan, creating a state-administered program to provide hospital coverage for all Vermont residents regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. The plan requires hospitals to accept the state's negotiated annual payments (based on global budgets) for services provided to all patients, prevents balance billing for Vermont residents beyond set cost-sharing amounts, and includes out-of-state hospital coverage for Vermont residents. Key mechanisms include annual global hospital budgets limiting cost growth to the Consumer Price Index plus 3.5%, a dedicated trust fund financed by state transfers and federal Medicaid/Medicare funds, and appeal processes for denied claims. This directly affects Vermont residents seeking hospital care and Vermont hospitals receiving state payments.
Senate Bill S 154 requires health insurance plans and Vermont's Medicaid program to provide coverage for biomarker testing. This testing analyzes a patient's samples to identify biological characteristics relevant to a disease or condition. Coverage is mandated for the diagnosis, treatment, management, and ongoing monitoring of a patient's disease. Such coverage is required when the test is supported by medical and scientific evidence, including FDA approvals, Medicare/Medicaid determinations, or nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines. The bill also specifies that coverage should be provided in a way that minimizes disruptions to patient care.
This bill allows Vermont schools to maintain a stock supply of epinephrine auto-injectors (like EpiPens) for emergency use. It authorizes trained school staff, not just nurses, to administer the medication during severe allergic reactions - regardless of whether the individual has a personal prescription - following established protocols. Schools must develop written allergy management plans with parents, train staff on recognizing and responding to reactions, and adopt policies for allergen prevention and emergency procedures. The law provides legal immunity for staff administering epinephrine in good faith, and it takes effect July 1, 2025.
H.80 strengthens the Office of the Health Care Advocate (OHCA) by clarifying its role as an independent voice for Vermonters promoting access to affordable health care. The bill expands the OHCA's ability to advocate for consumers in health insurance rate reviews and certificate of need applications by allowing it to submit questions, comments, and provide testimony to the Green Mountain Care Board. It also updates the OHCA's duties, which include assisting Vermonters with health insurance plan selection, understanding their rights, filing complaints, and facilitating public input on health care policies.
H.165 proposes creating an Inclusive Schools Protection Fund to replace lost federal funding for inclusive programs in Vermont schools. The bill would directly fund school districts to support LGBTQ+ student programs, antidiscrimination efforts, inclusive curricula, and educator training on equity. It also protects existing resources like student gender/sexuality alliances, school equity coordinators, and mental health programs for marginalized students. The Agency of Education must annually report on the fund's effectiveness, and the bill directs the state to develop new revenue sources to sustain the fund.
This bill appropriates $10.1 million from Vermont's Opioid Abatement Special Fund for fiscal year 2026 to support opioid use disorder services. It allocates funds for 26 new outreach staff, Burlington's overdose prevention center, certified recovery residences, syringe services, youth programs, harm reduction at shelters, and training for judges and correctional staff. The funding directly supports individuals with opioid use disorder, homeless populations, youth, and community organizations across Vermont. All allocations require outcome reporting, with annual funding intended unless the Special Fund lacks sufficient funds.
This bill modifies Vermont's health insurance claim processing rules. It specifies that standard claim edit requirements (used to review billing accuracy) don't apply when healthcare services are provided outside Vermont, unless the insurer and out-of-state provider agree otherwise. It also updates the definition of "primary care provider" to align with Vermont Blueprint for Health standards, meaning orders from these providers generally won't require prior authorization for in-network services (except for prescriptions or out-of-network care). The changes to claim edits take effect January 1, 2026, while the primary care provider definition change applies immediately.
