Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 27, 2026

H 782: An act relating to school nurse licensure

This bill (H 782) modifies Vermont's requirement for school nurses by eliminating the need to hold both an educator license and a nursing license. It directly affects school nurses employed in Vermont public schools, allowing them to maintain only a valid nursing license. The key provision removes the dual licensure mandate, streamlining the credentialing process for these healthcare professionals. The bill focuses on updating licensing rules to better align with the nursing role in schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves dual licensure barrier for school nurses, easing staffing and supporting school health services in K-12.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStreamlines school nurse licensing to improve healthcare access in schools by removing redundant credentialing requirements90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Teachers Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 6, 2026

H 557: An act relating to Medicaid coverage for vitamin D deficiency testing

This bill requires Vermont Medicaid to cover vitamin D deficiency testing for its beneficiaries. It directly affects Vermont residents enrolled in Medicaid who need testing for vitamin D deficiency. The key provision mandates that Medicaid must pay for this specific diagnostic test, removing a potential financial barrier to screening. The bill does not change broader Medicaid coverage rules but adds this testing as a required benefit.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid coverage for vitamin D deficiency testing, expanding diagnostic access without restricting benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 6, 2026

S 188: An act relating to hospital governance

Senate Bill 188 requires Vermont hospitals to include at least two public representatives on their boards of directors, appointed by the Governor. Hospitals must also submit detailed reports to the Green Mountain Care Board before approving any changes to executive compensation, including compensation benchmarks and peer group data. Public representatives must consider the interests of patients, employees, and the community when making decisions. This bill directly affects all Vermont hospitals and their executive compensation practices.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires public oversight in hospital governance to prioritize patient/community interests, aligning with healthcare protection and improved service accountability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2026

H 664: An act relating to income eligibility parity for certain Medicaid programs

H.664 would standardize income eligibility rules for two Vermont Medicaid programs. It requires the same income limits for both the Medicaid for Children and Adults program and the Medicaid for the Aged, Blind, and Disabled program. This change directly affects Vermont residents currently enrolled in either program, ensuring they face identical income thresholds for eligibility. The bill eliminates current differences in income requirements between these two Medicaid categories.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStandardizes Medicaid income eligibility, eliminating disparities to expand coverage access for eligible Vermont residents95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

Track

introduced · Vermont · Senate Jan 14, 2026

S 251: An act relating to health insurance coverage for diagnosis and treatment of certain pediatric neuropsychiatric conditions

This bill (S.251) requires health insurance plans in Vermont to cover the medically necessary diagnosis and treatment of PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) and PANS (Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) for children. It mandates coverage for specific treatments like antibiotics, mental health services, and immune-related therapies, without higher cost-sharing than for other conditions. Insurers must follow current clinical guidelines for these treatments and temporarily use "autoimmune encephalitis" as a billing code until specific PANDAS/PANS codes are created. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, applying to all new or renewed health insurance plans after that date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for PANDAS/PANS treatments without higher cost-sharing, expanding access to medically necessary pediatric neuropsychiatric care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance Mental Health

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2026

H 771: An act relating to exempting ambulatory surgical centers from certificate of need requirements

This bill exempts ambulatory surgical centers (outpatient facilities performing surgeries) from Vermont's certificate of need approval process. It directly affects these centers by removing a state requirement they previously needed to open or expand services. The bill amends state law to specifically exclude such centers - when licensed under Chapter 49 of Vermont law - from the certificate of need rules. This change eliminates a regulatory hurdle for these facilities without altering other healthcare facility requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves regulatory barrier for outpatient surgical centers, enabling easier expansion and improving patient access to surgical services.95% confidence

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 27, 2026

H 787: An act relating to limitations on municipal bylaws for Agency of Human Services infrastructure

This bill extends existing restrictions on municipal bylaws (under 24 V.S.A. § 4413) to cover State-funded human services institutions and facilities, as well as facilities regulated by public institutions that provide critical services. It directly affects municipalities by preventing them from imposing local regulations that could disrupt these facilities. The key provision ensures that if such services are interrupted - risking harm to individuals, blocking vital supports, or breaking legally required service continuity - municipal bylaws cannot interfere. This applies to facilities serving essential human services like healthcare, housing, or social support programs. The bill modifies existing law to broaden protections for these infrastructure providers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents municipal disruptions to State-funded human services infrastructure, ensuring continuity of critical healthcare services as described in bill summary.85% confidence

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 27, 2026

H 785: An act relating to dementia respite and dementia capable programming

This bill appropriates $750,000 for Vermont's dementia respite grant program and $100,000 for a pilot program creating dementia-friendly activities. It directly affects low-income Vermonters with dementia (income ≤400% federal poverty level) and their unpaid caregivers, providing up to $3,000 per person for respite care like adult day programs. The pilot program funds community organizations in Rutland and Washington Counties to develop activities supporting brain health for people with cognitive impairment. Funds are distributed on a first-come basis, with respite grants prioritizing out-of-home daytime care options. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds dementia respite care ($750k) and community programs ($100k), directly improving healthcare access for low-income dementia patients and caregivers through respite services.95% confidence

Track

in committee · Vermont · House Apr 14, 2026

H 574: An act relating to the use and maintenance of epinephrine at child care facilities

This bill allows Vermont child care facilities to maintain a stock supply of epinephrine (a treatment for severe allergic reactions) and train staff to administer it in emergencies. It directly affects child care providers, children with allergies, and other individuals at facilities who may experience life-threatening reactions. Key provisions require facilities to follow protocols for recognizing reactions, administering epinephrine, and documenting incidents, while protecting trained staff and providers from liability unless intentional misconduct occurs. The bill also mandates new rules for allergy management plans and staff training, developed by the Division of Human Services and Health Department.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables child care facilities to maintain epinephrine stock and train staff for allergic reaction emergencies, improving access to life-saving treatment for vulnerable children.95% confidence

Track

introduced · Vermont · House Jan 14, 2026

H 662: An act relating to an annual allocation for firefighter cancer screening

This bill requires an annual allocation of at least $145,000 from the Fire Safety Special Fund to provide cancer screenings for all new firefighters entering Vermont's Firefighter I certification program. The screenings must meet National Fire Prevention Association (NFPA) 1580 standards for emergency responders. The funding comes from insurance companies that pay into the Fire Safety Special Fund under existing law. This directly affects new firefighter trainees at the Vermont Fire Academy, ensuring they receive standardized cancer screenings as part of their entry-level training. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $145k annually for firefighter cancer screenings meeting NFPA 1580 standards, directly funding preventive healthcare services for emergency responders.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentFunds cancer screenings meeting NFPA 1580 standards for firefighters, directly improving workplace safety for emergency responders per bill's requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

Track