Current News

Vermont Business Magazine The Commission for Public School Employee Health Benefits agreed to an additional one-year extension of the current public school employees’ healthcare plan while pledging to continue working together toward systemic changes that will lower costs and make healthcare more affordable. The Vermont Education Health Initiative (VEHI) is developing new healthcare plans which may replace current offerings. Negotiations should focus on these new plans rather than plans which may be discontinued. The Commission has been working with VEHI on this project.

Vermont Business Magazine The Board of Directors for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (Blue Cross VT) today announced that Beth-Ann Roberts, MBA, has been selected as the organization’s next President and CEO, effective January 10, 2026. Roberts will join Blue Cross VT as CEO-elect on November 10, 2025, ensuring a smooth two-month transition with current President and CEO, Don George, who will retire on January 9, 2026. Roberts currently serves as President of Beth Israel Lahey Health Performance Network, a clinically integrated network of physicians, clinicians, and hospitals dedicated to improving population health and delivering high-quality, cost-effective care.

Vermont Business Magazine Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) today introduced the Health Care Workforce Expansion Act, comprehensive legislation to address the massive shortage of doctors, dentists and nurses in America. Over the next 12 years, the United States will face a shortage of more than 187,000 doctors, including tens of thousands of primary care doctors. By 2037, our country will also need over 200,000 more nurses. Many communities already face severe shortages of dentists. These shortages are most acute in rural areas, where patients often travel hours just to be seen — if they can be seen at all.

Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Education released a new Special Education Report, which identifies strengths, challenges, and opportunities in the delivery of services to students with disabilities. The report is an important part of the Agency’s ongoing strategic planning process and a key step in implementing Act 73, the state’s new education transformation law. Overall statewide academic performance decline coupled with persistent achievement gaps for students with IEPs underscore the need for higher quality instruction for all students and greater access to academic supports for struggling learners.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Chamber of Commerce has welcomed two new Directors to the Board: William Cahill of Vermont Mutual Insurance Group and Dr. Elizabeth Mauch of Vermont State Colleges. The Board also elected a new slate of officers, naming Sharon Rossi of FoodScience Corp. as Chair, Walter Frame of von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort as Vice Chair, Mike Hackett of Gallagher, Flynn & Company as Treasurer, and Thomas Dunn of VELCO as Past Chair. The Board also honored Pete McDougall of Paul, Frank + Collins for completing more than a decade of service, including a term as Chair. His leadership and commitment to the Vermont Chamber helped guide the organization through key milestones and strengthened its role as the state’s leading business advocate.

Vermont Agency of Transportation On 09/29/2025 at approximately 10:33 a.m., Vermont State Police and DMV Enforcement and Safety were called to VT 108 in Smuggler’s Notch due to a report that a tractor trailer unit had become stuck in “The Notch.” Upon arrival, DMV inspectors found that a tractor trailer unit had entered the prohibited section of VT 108, which does not allow combination vehicles that are more than 45 feet long. The vehicle was measured at 73 feet total length. 

Vermont Business Magazine Attorney General Charity Clark, as part of a coalition of 12 attorneys general, filed a lawsuit to stop the Trump Administration from unlawfully reallocating federal homeland security funding away from states based on their compliance with the Administration’s political agenda. In addition, the Administration reduced the period during which states have to spend the funds from three years to one year, making it substantially more difficult to use these critical funds. On Saturday, without any notice or explanation, and four days before the end of the federal fiscal year, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) significantly cut funding to certain states that are unwilling to divert law enforcement resources away from core public safety services to assist in enforcing federal immigration law while reallocating those funds to other states. 

Vermont Business Magazine VMEC has announced its 30-year anniversary as Vermont’s solely-focused manufacturing resource. To commemorate this significant milestone, VMEC will host a special anniversary dinner for manufacturers, key partners, community stakeholders and the general public on Thursday, November 13 from 5:00 - 10:00 pm at The Farmhouse at The Essex Resort & Spa, Essex Junction, Vermont. Part of the nationwide MEP National Network and hosted by Vermont State University since 1995, VMEC operates as a not-for-profit with a primary mission, “To Strengthen and Empower Vermont Manufacturers.”

Vermont Business Magazine According to current estimates, worldwide over 50 million people are affected by irreversible progressive neurodegenerative diseases that end in death of affected individuals. One of the most prevalent forms of neurodegeneration is Alzheimer Disease (AD) that affected roughly 6.9 million USA citizens over the age of 65 in 2024, thus ranking within the leading causes of death. Despite massive international research efforts, the underlying causes for AD remain elusive.

Vermont Business Magazine University of Vermont Health has earned recognition in 2025 from the American Medical Association (AMA) as a Joy in Medicine organization, which honors health systems and other groups that prioritize proven methods to reduce burnout and enhance physicians’ professional fulfillment. Organizations that meet the rigorous criteria of the Joy in Medicine Health System Recognition Program are leaders in the national effort to transform health care work systems and address the root causes of burnout among care teams.

Vermont Business Magazine Age Well and the American Society on Aging (ASA) celebrate Ageism Awareness Day on October 9, 2025. Modeled after the United Nations’ International Day of Older Persons (October 1), this day shines a spotlight on the existence and impact of ageism in society. This year’s theme emphasizes the diverse and meaningful experiences of aging—countering the myth that age defines identity. Ageism—one of the most socially accepted forms of prejudice—is defined by the World Health Organization as “the stereotypes (how we think), prejudices (how we feel), and discrimination (how we act) toward others or oneself based on age.” It affects people of all ages whenever assumptions are made about them simply because of how old they are. 

Vermont Business Magazine CLIMB Team Rutland has announced that it will be hosting its annual Climb event on October 3 aimed at raising awareness and funds for perinatal mood and anxiety disorder, including postpartum depression and anxiety. “We are proud to join The Climb again this year, a worldwide movement organized by Postpartum Support International (PSI) that symbolizes the journey from darkness into light – offering hope, connection and recovery for families,” said Lauren Norford, CLIMB Team Rutland coordinator and Manager of Early Childhood Services with Community Care Network. The Rutland event will take place on Friday, October 3, from 4:00–5:30 p.m. at Pine Hill Park, Oak Street Extension, Rutland, VT.