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Update from Vermont Medical Society

Posted 2 days ago

April 15, 2025

NEED TO KNOW
 

VMS, Specialty Societies Reaffirm Commitment to Providing Patients with Honest, Accurate, Science-Based Information  

In light of recent concerns regarding the suppression, censorship, or misrepresentation of scientific information relevant to medical care by the federal government, VMS and state specialty societies representing Vermont physicians and physician assistants released a statement today aimed at reassuring the public that Vermont clinicians are dedicated to providing honest, accurate, science-based information to help patients make informed decisions about their health. 

The statement reads that the physicians and PAs affiliated with our organizations are dedicated to providing the highest quality medical care grounded in the most current and reliable scientific research.  

We pledge to: 

  • Uphold the highest ethical standards in medical practice, ensuring that patient care is informed by the best available scientific evidence.
  • Advocate for the free exchange of medical and scientific knowledge without censorship or distortion.
  • Resist efforts that attempt to politicize medical science in ways that could endanger public health.
  • Support policies that prioritize public health and safety based on sound medical knowledge.

The health and well-being of our communities depends on the trust that patients place in their clinicians. That trust is built upon a foundation of honesty, scientific integrity, and the unwavering commitment of medical professionals to do no harm.  We, the undersigned organizations, encourage patients to seek guidance from their trusted physicians and other reputable medical professionals and organizations for accurate and up- to-date health information. We will continue to advocate for policies that protect public health, promote scientific progress, and ensure that health care decisions between patients and their medical teams are without bias, are evidence-based and confidential, upholding the sacred trust of the clinician-patient relationship. 

 

Vermont Medical Society 

American Academy of Pediatrics Vermont Chapter 

American College of Physicians Vermont Chapter 

American College of Surgeons Vermont Chapter 

Physician Assistant Academy of Vermont  

Vermont Academy of Family Physicians 

Vermont Chapter American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists  

Vermont Ophthalmological Society 

Vermont Psychiatric Association 

Vermont Society of Anesthesiologists 

Vermont State Association of Osteopathic Physicians and Surgeons

Keep Up the Pressure – Ask the Senate to Fill Full Primary Care Funding Gaps

Thank you to everyone who has already reached out to the House & Senate to advocate for primary care funding that fills the 2026 gap that will occur due to the State's decision to postpone advancing to the AHEAD model until Jan. 2027 and the end of OneCare Vermont Dec. 2025.  If you have not yet done so, now is the time to ask the Senate Health & Welfare Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee to meet the full primary care gap and workforce needs. 

Please email the Committees to share your story of why funding for primary care is a critical investment for the State.  Email members at: aperchlik@leg.state.vt.us; pbrennan@leg.state.vt.us; rawestman@gmail.com; vlyons@leg.state.vt.us; pbaruth@leg.state.vt.us; awatson@leg.state.vt.us; rnorris@leg.state.vt.us; mgulick@leg.state.vt.us; acummings@leg.state.vt.us; lhart@leg.state.vt.us; sdouglass@leg.state.vt.us

The detailed requests are:

  • $4.4m GF/$10.8m GC for the Blueprint for Health Community Health Team CHT, Primary Care Medical Home (PCMH) and SASH program (in Governor’s and House budget);
  • $4.6m GF for the OneCare Vermont Population Health Management (PHM) Program for all participating primary care practices (House budget includes $3.12m);
  • $835K GF for the Comprehensive Payment Reform (CPR) for independent primary care practices (full amount in House budget);
  • $1.385 million to continue the Blueprint for Health Pilot Expansion Program that invests Medicaid dollars in expanded Community Health Team staff at primary care practices to address mental health, substance use disorder and SDOH needs (not funded in House budget);
  • $515,000 for the Maple Mountain Consortium family medicine residency program - a new primary care pipeline that will train 4 family medicine trainees per year starting in July 2026 (not funded in House budget);
  • $500,000 for the Medical Student Incentive Scholarship Program that provides scholarships for up to 10 third- and fourth-year UVM medical students who commit to practicing primary care outside of Chittenden County. To date 22 scholarships have been awarded (not funded in House budget).

Thank you for your advocacy and please reach out to jsudhoffguerin@vtmd.org or jbarnard@vtmd.org with questions or to share feedback you receive from Senators.

Senate Focuses on State Budget, House Moving Policy Bills

This week, VMS priority issues continue to move through the legislature.  The Senate Health and Welfare and Appropriations Committees are focused on making recommendations for the State Fiscal Year 2026 budget, with the Senate Appropriations Committee planning to have a proposed budget by the end of this week.  See the related VMS action alert above.

The House Health Care Committee has been diving into the Senate-passed health reform bill, S. 126, which calls for hospital commercial prices to be pegged to Medicare and a move to hospital global budgets.  VMS testified on the bill last week.   Also last Friday, the Health Care Committee voted in support of a bill to strengthen and update the State’s shield laws protecting access to reproductive and gender affirming care services (S. 28), a bill to enact the Treasurer’s proposal to buy down individual medical debt (S. 27), and a bill to update the role of the state health care advocate (S. 80).   This week, House Health Care will continue to focus on S. 126.   See longer summary of each of these bills in VMS’ mid-session legislative bulletin here. 

Tomorrow (Wednesday) morning is also VMS’ last legislative coffee hour!  Thank you to all of our members who have turned out for the breakfasts to share your input with lawmakers.  The breakfasts have been very well attended and have demonstrated the commitment of Vermont physicians, PAs and medical students to improve health care policies for your patients and the State. 

VMS Joins American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry in Affirming Safety and Effectiveness of Community Water Fluoridation

The Vermont Medical Society joined the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), the leading authority on children’s oral health, and 250 of the foremost health professional organizations and research bodies in a coalition letter affirming the safety and efficacy of community water fluoridation.

Read the full letter at www.aapd.org/aapd-affirms-cwf.

This letter is in response to the announced intentions of Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to order the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to direct the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to stop recommending fluoridated water. Additionally, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency indicated they will follow suit with Secretary Kennedy’s directives. The AAPD and joint organizations are deeply concerned about the impact this will have on the oral health and overall health of children and adults in the years to come.

GMCB Approves Settlement with UVMHN, Appoints Mike Smith as Independent Liaison

On Friday, April 4th, the Green Mountain Care Board voted unanimously to approve a settlementwith the University of Vermont Health Network/UVM Medical Center that required, among other things, $11 million to support non-hospital primary care providers, $12 million to resolve Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont’s allegations that UVMMC overcharged the insurer in FY22 and FY23, submission of a hospital budget in compliance with GMCB guidance for FY26, and adjustments to its FY25 commercial costs to the extent necessary to comply with GMCB’s FY25 budget order.  VMS submitted comments in support of the $11 million being dedicated to primary care services and will continue to have conversations with UVMHN and the Agency of Human Services regarding how to invest the $11 million to meet critical statewide primary care funding needs. 

Earlier today, the GMCB also announced the appointment of former Agency of Human Services Secretary Mike Smith as the Independent Liaison to UVMHN under the settlement.   Part of the settlement required the appointment of an independent liaison to review and opine on UVMHN hospital budget submissions and material operations and management decisions, including funds flow to New York-based UVMHN hospitals.  The settlement additionally required the independent liaison to serve as a member of a workgroup that directs and oversees independent third-party efforts to evaluate and reform UVMHN operations to ensure cost-effective management and operations. 

MISC.

Advanced Directive Week, April 13-19th

Vermont Advance Directive Week (April 13-19, 2025) is devoted to educating and raising awareness about the importance of advance care planning.   Please see the Vermont Ethics Network for patient information resources and community advance care planning events at https://vtethicsnetwork.org. DVHA also reminds providers that Vermont Medicaid covers Advanced Care Planning CPT codes 99497 and 99498.

Mildred Reardon Medical Student Scholarship Open for Applications

Do you dream of becoming a Vermont doctor? 

The Vermont Medical Society’s Education and Research Foundation (VMSERF) is now accepting applications for the Mildred Reardon scholarship, which awards $10,000 to a University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine third year student committed to practicing medicine in Vermont.

The scholarship is made to a student interested in any specialty, with a preference for specialties in high need in Vermont.  The scholarship is tuition-linked and is paid directly to the College of Medicine towards tuition. Applications are due April 25, 2025.  Click here for more information and details on applying for the scholarship.

EVENTS
 

The New England MGMA 2025 Annual Conference

April 24-25, 2025

Join the New England MGMA 2025 Annual Conference Tools for Today, Vision for Tomorrow: Navigating Challenges and Unlocking Po, an essential event for medical society professionals seeking to gain valuable insights, network with industry leaders, and stay ahead in the evolving healthcare landscape. This conference is hosted by Massachusetts/Rhode Island MGMA, New Hampshire/Vermont MGMA, and Maine MGMA.

The conference is offering an exciting mix of speakers and topics! Explore innovative approaches and practical tools designed to enhance patient care, streamline operations and drive business growth. Take part in interactive sessions and build your network with professionals dedicated to integrating innovation with healthcare priorities, ensuring a healthier future for all.

View the full schedule and register for the conference here.

2025 Primary Care Conference: Empowering a Resilient Primary Care Workforce
Wednesday, May 21, 2025

8:30 AM to 4:00 PM

Lake Morey Resort
82 Clubhouse Road
Fairlee, VT

Register Here