Current News

by Timothy McQuiston, Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Department of Health reported last week that the number of COVID-19 hospitalizations remain low and under 5 cases statewide, after a spike during the winter. Wastewater testing indicates that virus levels, which had increased at the Montpelier facility recently, also fell after they had spiked in January. The Vermont pandemic death total stands at 1,291 as of May 10, 2025, with 1 reported death from the previous week (the most recent data available from the CDC). WHO also reported that COVID-19 deaths keep declining. 

Vermont Business Magazine On May 19, 2025, Governor Scott signed into law the Department of Financial Regulation’s (DFR) 2025 housekeeping bill H.137, an act relating to the regulation of insurance products and services. The new law includes important updates identified by the DFR’s captive insurance division, with stakeholder input, particularly from the Vermont Captive Insurance Association (VCIA).

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Senate voted today to advance legislation already passed by the House (H.238) that would outlaw the use of toxic perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in firefighting gear, dental floss, cleaning products, and fluorine-treated containers—a critical step in reducing Vermonters’ exposure to these harmful substances. The Senate expanded the bill as passed by the House by adding a provision that prohibits PFAS in firefighting gear beginning in 2029. The specialized gear and equipment used by firefighters often results in repeated exposure to toxic PFAS. Massachusetts and Connecticut have already passed similar restrictions and Vermont’s professional firefighters have offered their support for H.238.

Vermont Business Magazine Recently, Rutland Regional Medical Center’s Education and Clinical Excellence Team and Nursing Shared Governance honored four extraordinary nurses with the DAISY Award. The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Foundation was started in Glen Allen, California by family members of J. Patrick Barnes, who died from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. As a way of thanking the nurses who cared for Barnes, his family established the DAISY award program to recognize nurses who demonstrate exceptional care and support.

Vermont Business Magazine The Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce is proud to announce its inaugural Chamber Symposium: Civic Discourse and Journalism, a timely and dynamic panel event taking place on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Stratton Mountain Resort. This two-hour symposium will bring together esteemed journalists, editors, educators, and media professionals to engage in a thoughtful discussion on the current state of journalism, the media’s impact on politics and public opinion, and the future of civic discourse in our communities.

Vermont Business Magazine This past weekend, Vermont State University (VTSU) proudly celebrated the graduation of its Class of 2025—an inspiring cohort of nearly 1,400 students from 231 Vermont communities and beyond. These graduates exemplify the heart of VTSU: resilient, purpose-driven, and committed to making a meaningful impact. Notably, more than 40% of this year’s graduates are the first in their families to attend college—a powerful reflection of VTSU’s mission to expand access and opportunity. That commitment is also evident in the 224 graduates who completed their degrees entirely online, balancing education with work, family, and other responsibilities.

by Devon Green, VP of Government Relations, VAHHS While H.266 maintains its 340B protections, it has also evolved into a mechanism to address the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT) financial crisis. BCBSVT presented on Vermont’s high drug prices and pointed to Vermont’s prohibition on white bagging (when a patient's medication is dispensed by a specialty pharmacy and then shipped to the healthcare provider's office or facility for administration) as the culprit. After hearing VAHHS testimony about the quality and safety issues around white bagging, the House Health Care Committee landed on a proposal to keep the white bagging prohibition in place, but to cap outpatient infusion therapies at 120 percent average sales price. BCBSVT estimates that this will net them about $46M. 

Vermont Business Magazine This fall, the Vermont Permanency Initiative (VPI), a residential treatment program for youth who have experienced complex trauma, will open a dedicated on-site equine facility—making it one of the only integrated programs of its kind in New England. This new addition transforms VPI’s equine work from an off-site activity into a fully embedded part of daily programming for youth ages 11–21. With a focus on both equine-assisted psychotherapy (EAP) and equine-assisted learning (EAL), the initiative reflects VPI’s commitment to experiential, trauma-responsive care.

Vermont Business Magazine Every year, hundreds of adults and children from Vermont and northern New York enroll or participate in clinical trials at University of Vermont Cancer Center, providing them with local access to groundbreaking treatments while advancing cancer care and delivery for patients in the region and nationwide. To celebrate National Cancer Research Month and Clinical Trials Awareness Day on May 20, UVM Cancer Center is honoring the investigators, staff, and patients whose participation makes this work possible.

Vermont Business Magazine The Theresa Foundation has announced that James A. Caffry, distinguished attorney and partner at Caffry & Keating PLLC in Waterbury, has been named the 2025 recipient of the Theresa Award. This annual award recognizes a National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) member who has demonstrated unwavering dedication to advocating for individuals with disabilities. Caffry has spent almost two decades making a profound difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities. As a leader in special needs law, Jim has worked tirelessly to advance the rights, opportunities, and resources available to this community. Jim’s contributions extend beyond his practice at Caffry & Keating; he has demonstrated a deep commitment to leadership and service with his involvement in the Vermont Bar Association as well as the Special Needs Alliance (SNA).

Vermont Business Magazine Sunday night, Rep. Becca Balint (D-Vermont-AL) released the following statement after the passage of the Republican budget out of the House Budget Committee late this evening: “In an economy already rigged against working people, Republicans are moving forward with sweeping cuts to the programs that millions of families afloat. Americans just want to be able to pay their rent, afford groceries and health care, get their kids a good education and build a better life. But this budget makes that so much further out of reach. Republicans have had hundreds of opportunities to stand up for Medicaid, food assistance and our public schools. But tonight, they are again deciding to turn their backs on working people to give tax cuts to their billionaire donors and help corporations rake in even more money. 

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott signed into law the property tax rate "yield bill," H.491. The average increase in property taxes this year is 1.1%. Last year's increase was 13.8%. While costs have come down this year, the Legislature used $77.2 million in surplus funds from the General Fund as a one-time fix for FY2026, which begins this July 1. Before the session began, the projected average property tax increase was 5.9%.