Current News

Vermont Business Magazine OneCare Vermont, Vermont’s Accountable Care Organization (ACO) on Thursday filed their 2021 budget with the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) as part of their annual budget review process. The budget supports the cooperative effort of thousands of providers across Vermont to stabilize health care costs and improve health for Vermonters.

Vermont Business Magazine Northwestern Medical Center in St Albans has hired Dean French, MD, as the hospital’s new Chief Executive Officer. Dr French joins NMC after 5 years of service as CEO of Community Medical Center in Missoula, Montana. Dr French will start at NMC on November 30. Dr French has 17 years of experience in hospital administration in roles including CEO, Chief Medical Officer, Chief Operations Officer, and Vice President of Medical Affairs and Quality.

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine Weekly unemployment claims were little changed again last week, but remain near their lowest levels now since the first week of March. However, there are still over 30,000 Vermonters receiving either regular or pandemic unemployment benefits. Nationally, claims decreased slightly last week.

For the week ending September 26, 2020, the Labor Department processed 601 Initial Claims, down 43 from the previous week and 352 more than the same time last year.

Comparing the data to the same time last year likely provides the best insight to current conditions.

Vermont Business Magazine MVP Health Care announced on Thursday a new partnership with Health Plans, Inc (HPI) to offer a first of its kind, level-funded plan to businesses in Vermont. Beginning January 1, 2021, employers with more than 50 employees will have access to MVP Health Care’s level-funded plan, which will offer employers an alternative to traditional fully insured or self-funded plan options. Administered by MVP Select Care, Inc, this new option provides the best of both worlds by offering the peace of mind of a fully insured plan with the cost savings potential of a self-funded plan.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Electric Cooperative is urging VEC members, both residential and non-residential, to apply for arrearage assistance financial support for over-due bills due to the COVID emergency. The Vermont COVID-19 Arrearage Assistance Program (VCAPP) was created by the Vermont Legislature and funded with $8 million from the federal CARES Act.

Vermont Business Magazine Beginning October 1st, 2020, Vermont seniors applying for 3SquaresVT are able to use a simple application and benefit renewal process as part of the new 3SquaresVT IN A SNAP program. The easy to use application is available to individuals and households age 60 or older and persons with disabilities.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced that three more branch offices, in Bennington, Newport, and Springfield, are re-opening to the public by appointment only using the new online scheduling system. Customers can schedule appointments in Bennington, Newport, and Springfield online beginning Thursday, October 1. The first appointment times available will be for Monday, October 5. These join the Montpelier, South Burlington, and Rutland offices which previously reopened.

Vermont Business Magazine ­North Star Leasing, a national equipment leasing company committed to helping businesses grow, is pleased to announce it is being recognized by The Monitor Daily as one of the nation's top equipment and finance leasing companies. As the leading publication of the equipment leasing and finance industry, The Monitor Daily publishes annual rankings of the top equipment leasing and finance companies in the U.S. North Star Leasing captured No. 119 this year, a new achievement for the 41-year-old company that has seen record growth in the past six years.

Vermont Business Magazine Representative Peter Welch (D-Vermont) voted for the updated Heroes Act passed by the House late on Thursday night to deliver much needed coronavirus relief to communities across America. The updated Heroes Act was trimmed to $2.2 trillion from the more than $3 trillion bill passed in May in an attempt to engage Senate Republicans to pass a compromise aid package. The bill includes more than $800 million for Vermont state and local governments. It would also issue a second round of $1,200 payments to individuals and restores the $600 weekly federal unemployment payments through January.

Senate Republicans have continued to block passage of the original bill.

by Amy Spear, Vermont Chamber of Commerce Vice President of Tourism Vermont’s mountains and countrysides will soon be ablaze with vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. Our hospitality businesses and attractions have implemented thorough safety measures so Vermonters and visitors can enjoy the state in both new and familiar ways. While Vermont is known as a visitor paradise, many Vermonters also look forward to this time of year when our state shows off its colorful splendor.

Vermont Business Magazine In July of 2020, Terje Anderson announced that he would be stepping down from his position as Party Chair due to health issues. Anderson served as chair from 2017 to 2020. The Vermont Democratic Party is honored to announce the election of the new Party Chair, Bruce Olsson, who was elected unanimously by the Vermont Democratic State Committee on September 10th. Olsson is a resident of Elmore, Vermont and is currently the Chair of the Lamoille County Democratic Committee.

A member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers for over forty years, Olsson worked on critical legislative issues in Washington, DC, and on political campaigns across America for his union. Most recently, Olsson served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention for Senator Bernie Sanders.

Vermont Business Magazine As US employers and healthcare providers continue to struggle with the disruption and fallout from COVID-19, a majority of patients with chronic conditions have faced significantly reduced access to care. Marathon Health, a leader in creating best-in-class onsite, near site and virtual healthcare options for US employers, has developed a way to reverse this trend with its proactive primary care model.