Current News

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott announced today that he has appointed James Pepper of Montpelier, Julie Hulburd of Colchester and Kyle Harris of Montpelier to the Cannabis Control Board (CCB). The CCB was created by Act 164 of 2020 for the purpose of safely, equitably and effectively implementing and administering the laws and rules regulating adult-use cannabis in Vermont. It is responsible for establishing, administering and regulating a cannabis regulatory system for commercial cannabis cultivators, wholesalers, product manufacturers, retailers and testing laboratories.

Vermont Business Magazine The University of Vermont (UVM) Larner College of Medicine is proud to announce that its Master of Public Health Program has earned national accreditation from the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), the independent agency recognized by the US Department of Education to accredit schools of public health and public health programs.

by Dr Joshua Plavin Most parents have a memory like this: your child wakes up crying in the middle of the night with a blazing fever, a croupy cough that sounds like they are going to stop breathing, those pink cheeks and bright eyes, and tiny hands grasping your shirt as you snuggle them close. If you have health insurance, you don’t hesitate to reach for the phone to call your doctor. Just hearing that provider’s calm voice on the other end of the phone telling you what to do to help your child makes your racing heart calm and your worried mind slow down.

Vermont Business Magazine The Commission on Cancer (CoC), a quality program of the American College of Surgeons (ACS), has granted 3-year accreditation to the Southwestern Vermont Regional Cancer Center (SVRCC), part of Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) and Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC).

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Health Care’s (SVHC) Medical Matters Weekly with Dr. Trey Dobson, a weekly interactive, multiplatform medical-themed talk show, will feature Stephen Leffler, MD, as a guest on its March 31 show. Dr Leffler is the president and chief operating officer of the University of Vermont Medical Center. The two will discuss the state of health care from the perspective of the state’s largest healthcare organization.

by Devon Green, VAHHS Vice President of Government Relations All the big spending bills have passed out of the House and are now in the hands of the Senate, including $650 million in spending of the COVID relief federal funding. As of now, we have limited information about the funding, and VAHHS will be keeping an eye out for further federal guidance.

Last Week

Budget: The House passed funding for the FY22 budget in H.439, including:

• $2.27 million in funding for nursing and primary care scholarships

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC) is initiating a comprehensive health assessment of the communities that it serves. Conducted every 3 years, the Community Health Needs Assessment process allows SVMC to understand the current health needs of its region, assess the services available to residents, and identify where and how improvements can be made. Information and opinions will be collected using a digital survey and virtual forums targeted to specific communities.

Vermont Business Magazine Southwestern Vermont Medical Center (SVMC), part of Southwestern Vermont Health Care (SVHC) will host an expanded childbirth education class online starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, April 22. Parents-to-be are invited to register for the 4-week series at svhealthcare.org/Classes-Events. Each class is live, virtual, and interactive. The new format allows families to get a thorough introduction to the birthing experience from the comfort of their own homes.

Vermont Business Magazine After a couple of record highs in total COVID-19 cases, the Vermont Department of Health reported new cases fell back some to 137, with no new deaths, which are holding at 225 statewide. Meanwhile, the state continues to open up vaccine age banding. Those 50 and older were able to sign up starting today. Over 190,000 Vermonters have now received at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Vermont Business Magazine People's United Community Foundation, the philanthropic arm of People's United Bank, NA, announced that it has awarded $989,589 during its first grant cycle of 2021 to 150 non-profits throughout its footprint, covering Connecticut, New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. There were 12 organizations in Vermont.

by the Legislative Apportionment Board It’s that time of the decade again! The US Constitution requires a census every 10 years, and this up-to-date population count is used to ensure that our elected representatives in the legislature are equitably apportioned across the state. (Because Vermont has a single member of the U.S. House of Representatives, there is no decennial reapportionment there.)

Vermont Business Magazine Starting April 1, new public parking policies are being implemented to improve access to parking for downtown visitors and employees. During busy times downtown, Burlington's Marketplace Garage is often closed multiple times a week and sometimes several times a day. To provide more access to the popular Marketplace Garage spaces and the high demand spaces around Church Street, the free parking component is being moved down College Street, while merchants will be able to sign up for customer vouchers.