Healthcare (Public Health)

This bill adds a specific right to Vermont's Patient Bill of Rights, prohibiting hospitals from denying patients admission, care, or services solely based on their vaccination status. It directly affects all hospital patients in Vermont who might otherwise face barriers to care due to their vaccination history. The key provision (Section 19) explicitly states this right within the existing Patient Bill of Rights framework. The law takes effect upon passage, ensuring hospitals must comply with this new standard.

Senate Resolution 16 is a non-binding statement by the Vermont Senate opposing federal actions it claims threaten public health, including withdrawing from the World Health Organization and eliminating CDC staff positions focused on injury prevention and mental health. The resolution urges President Trump and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to reverse these actions and directs that a copy be sent to the President, the Secretary, and Vermont's congressional delegation. It does not change any laws or policies but formally expresses the Senate's position on these federal decisions.