Current News
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has partnered with the Department of Disabilities, Aging & Independent Living (DAIL) and Vermont State Police (VSP) to create visor cards to help people who are deaf or hard of hearing communicate with law enforcement officers if they are pulled over while dr.
by tim
In annual State of the City address, Mayor Weinberger asks all Burlington residents to imagine a future where we have eliminated racial disparities and where everyone in the Burlington community feels true belonging
Vermont Business Magazine Monday night, Mayor Miro Weinberger virtually delivered the annual State of the City address, during which he reported that the State of the City is one of great hope. Mayor Weinberger outlined how over the past year, Burlingtonians have worked together to contain the virus as well as any City in America, and how, with the end of the pandemic in sight, Burlington is ready to take on the opportunities ahead and emerge from this time of historic challenge as a healthier, greener, more equitable, and more racially just community.
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Over the past year, dental practices were mandated to close due to pandemic restrictions and then slowly reopened based on their local and state government guidance. Now, however, there is light on the horizon with COVID-19 vaccination distribution ramping up. In fact, according to the Vermont Department of Health, 36.9% of the state's population has received at least one dose of the vaccine and more than 116,000 people are fully vaccinated. Additionally, the Biden administration announced that every adult in the U.S. will be eligible for a vaccination no later than May 1, which should help to improve this progress.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine In the pandemic, University of Vermont research expenditures hit record levels in 2020—up 41% to $191 million—to provide a crucial boost to Vermont’s economy during COVID-19. The total was reported in UVM’s annual 2020 National Science Foundation Higher Education Research and Development survey and is the largest in the university’s history. It eclipses the previous record of $136 million by a wide margin, and is a key contributor to UVM’s overall $1.3 billion annual economic impact.
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Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) and Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) are proud to announce that each of its five primary care practices in Vermont—SVMC Deerfield Valley Campus in Wilmington, SVMC Internal Medicine in Bennington, SVMC Northshire Campus in Manchester, SVMC Pediatrics in Bennington, and SVMC Pownal Campus in Pownal—has achieved recognition for providing personalized, effective, and efficient primary care. The medical practices are now designated as Patient Centered Medical Homes by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
“This achievement recognizes the outstanding level of care we provide,” said Angie Marano, vice president for Ambulatory and Continuing Care Services at SVHC. “It underscores our commitment to putting patients at the center of all we do."
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine National Healthcare Decisions Day, a day devoted to educating the public about the importance of advance care planning, is Friday, April 16. Once again, Governor Phil Scott has joined us in acknowledging the importance of advance care planning through a Governor’s Proclamation declaring April 11 through 17 Advance Directive Week in Vermont
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The White River Junction Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System and Middlebury College are partnering in the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out. On April 10th the White River Junction VA will be administering first doses of Janssen COVID-19 vaccine at Middlebury College’s Athletics Complex on South Main Street. This clinic is for Veterans and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) employees by appointment only.
by tim
by John McClaughry Paul Jarris MD, one of the best Commissioners of Public Health (2003-2006) that Vermont has ever had, often said forthrightly that “about forty percent of what Vermont spends on health care is simply wasted.”
Since then Vermont has gone through Catamount Health, Green Mountain Care, and All Payer. Have we gained much ground toward achieving our goals for a healthy and affordable Vermont?
OneCare is the Accountable Care Organization created when Governor Shumlin’s single-payer plan fizzled out in 2014, and was succeeded by All Payer. OneCare controls the flow of health care money from commercial insurers, Medicare and Medicaid.
Its purpose is to force the providers to meet the health care needs of a defined group of patients at a contracted price, rather than add up “fee for service” billings that are a major factor in health care cost inflation.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s (SVHC) Medical Matters Weekly with Dr Trey Dobson, a weekly interactive, multi-platform medical-themed talk show, will feature David Veltre, MD, as a guest on its April 7 show. Dr Veltre is a hand and upper extremity specialist at SVMC Orthopedics and Northern Berkshire Orthopedics. They will discuss the most common conditions he sees in his practice and their treatments.
The show is produced with cooperation from Catamount Access Television (CAT-TV) and airs live at 2 pm on Wednesdays. Viewers can see Medical Matters Weekly live on Facebook at facebook.com/svmedicalcenter and facebook.com/CATTVBennington. Those viewing on Facebook will be able to contribute questions through the chat function.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine The annual “Big Change Roundup for Kids” to support The University of Vermont Children’s Hospital raised a total of $200,650.22 this year. The annual three-month long coin collecting campaign is the largest annual fundraiser for the hospital, and is a joint project of the UVM Children’s Hospital and 98.9 WOKO-FM. Local businesses and volunteers from throughout the region raised funds to help pay for medical equipment; Child Life activities that educate, entertain and improve the health care experience for pediatric patients; and many more initiatives that support high-quality, child-friendly, family centered care.
by tim
by Devon Green, VAHHS Vice President of Government Relations April is usually a make or break month at the legislature—as in, you try to make it through the month without it breaking you. This year feels particularly make or break not only at the legislature, but also with Vermont’s race to vaccinate against the emergence of new variants.
by tim
Vermont Business Magazine This past year dealing with COVID has emphasized the importance of financial well-being. April’s Financial Literacy Month highlights that everyone benefits from financial education. NEFCU has announced a unique digital solution to enhance personal finance - an app called Zogo. NEFCU has partnered with Zogo to provide free financial education for all Vermonters 13 years of age and older. This mobile app is a fun and engaging way to increase financial literacy.