Current News

by Mike Del Trecco, VAHHS CEO As Vermont hospitals and staff continue to work and serve their patients and communities, it can be difficult to comprehend the violence taking place in our communities, I am saddened by the recent news in a New Hampshire hospital that hit so close to home—confirming fears expressed by our Vermont health care workers about the threat of violence in our hospitals. All this occurs amid war overseas and growing resentment between ethic groups both here and abroad. It's hard to imagine sitting down to a happy Thanksgiving feast. But this is an opportunity to take a breather, spend time with family, be thankful for all that we have and regroup to work to build a better future as communities and a state.

by John McClaughry Last week the Vermont Departments of Health and Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) released a comprehensive document, produced by a wide range of state officials, nonprofit organization employees, and volunteers. It’s titled Age Strong VT: Our Road Map for an Age Friendly State. The report proposes to “support and strengthen Vermont’s network of viable senior centers, adult day centers and other local community institutions such as libraries and churches with quality and equitable programming for older Vermonters.” The bureaucratic mentality sees it as their duty to supervise and if need be exercise control over private institutions, lest some of those centers, libraries and churches flunk the state’s quality and equity tests.

Vermont Business Magazine The NEK Council on Aging held its 2023 Annual Meeting on November 16th at the St. Johnsbury Meal Site and Meals on Wheels (St. Johnsbury House). The meeting was open to the public and attended by an estimated 55 people including Vermont Lt. Governor David Zuckerman and Beth Stern representing the office of Senator Bernie Sanders and representative Chip Troiano. 

Vermont Business Magazine Green Mountain Power (GMP) is urging customers to stay safe and be alert to changing weather conditions during this holiday week. Forecasters are currently calling for a wintry mix of wet snow, ice, and sleet to hit Vermont Tuesday night into Wednesday. GMP is encouraging customers to think ahead, and prepare now for winter storm season, just as the utility is looking ahead and preparing through storm hardening and undergrounding lines and expanding access to home energy solutions. Last winter saw a record number of damaging storms requiring multi-day repairs, as climate change continues to intensify the severity and frequency of bad weather.

Vermont Business Magazine Governor Phil Scott today signed an addendum to his Emergency Declaration (Executive Order 03-23) temporarily suspending all State and local regulations that would prohibit or substantially delay temporary emergency housing for Vermont flood victims. FEMA is still required to follow federal regulations and environmental reviews, but this executive action removes duplicative state and local reviews. “As FEMA works to provide direct housing assistance for flood victims in group housing sites, it is essential they are not delayed by state and local regulations,” said Governor Scott. “This action will allow the project to move forward quickly to establish the temporary mobile housing site in Montpelier that FEMA has been closely coordinating with the state and city of Montpelier.”

Vermont Business Magazine Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont), Senator Peter Welch (D-Vermont), and Representative Becca Balint (D-Vermont) have called on US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, US Department of Labor Acting Secretary Julie Su, and US Department of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to detail steps they are taking to strengthen federal enforcement of Affordable Care Act (ACA) to provide no-cost contraceptive coverage in order to keep contraception affordable and accessible to consumers. The letter, sent on November 17, highlighted a recent investigation by the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation that found three insurers in Vermont—Blue Cross Blue Shield Vermont, MVP Health Care, and Cigna Healthcare—had failed to provide patients with no-cost contraceptive services, in violation of state and federal law. 

by Amy Olson, Dartmouth College Vaccine experts from academia, foundations, industry, and government will discuss global advances in vaccine research, development, and policy at the first annual Dartmouth International Vaccine Conference on Wednesday, December 6. The program will focus on vaccines for COVID-19, tuberculosis, respiratory syncytial virus, HIV, polio, and herpes. Duane Compton, dean of the Geisel School of Medicine, will introduce the keynote speaker and Dartmouth President Sian Leah Beilock will deliver welcoming remarks at the all-day conference to be held on campus at the Hanover Inn.

Vermont Business Magazine Rutland Regional Medical Center and its partners are pleased to announce that Rutland Regional has been selected by the State of Vermont Department of Health, Division of Substance Use (DSU) as one of four Prevention Lead Organizations across the state. As the Prevention Lead, Rutland Regional will guide substance misuse prevention activities and sub-grant funds to community partners located in Addison and Rutland counties. With longstanding experience leading prevention efforts in Rutland County, funded by the Regional Prevention Partnerships grant, Tobacco Community Program grant, and strategic projects funded through the Bowse Health Trust, the hospital was well positioned to receive the Prevention Lead designation. 

Vermont Business Magazine Lamoille Health Partners has been recognized by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) as a National Health Center Quality Leader, ranking among the top 20% of US health centers for best overall clinical performance in 2023. This new Silver Level status validates Lamoille Health Partners' dedication to quality care and access to members of its communities, increasing from Bronze level in 2022.  The Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA) recognizes Health Center Program awardees and look-alikes (LALs) that have made notable quality improvement achievements in the areas of access, quality, health equity, and health information technology through its Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badges. 

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Teacher of Year Aziza Malik was among the honorees at the 2024 Outstanding Educators Day held at the University of Vermont's Dudley H. Davis Center on Nov. 14. A fifth-grade teacher at Champlain Elementary School in Burlington, Malik is known for partnering with community members and local institutions to connect her curriculum to the real world. Her teaching helps students to engage with the local Indigenous population. She has also worked to revitalize the school's community garden.

Community Health Centers As the cold weather quickly moves into Vermont, Community Health Centers - Safe Harbor is looking for donations for our Homeless Healthcare Program. Specifically needed are: Jackets/coats, Gloves, Hats, belts, Sweatshirts, T-shirts/long sleeve shirts, Men's pants, Sweatpants/pajama pants, Leggings, Socks, Shoes/boots/sandals, Shampoo/conditioner/soap, Tents, Sleeping bags, Backpacks, Reusable shopping bags.

Vermont Business Magazine VITL has announced the appointment of Emma Harrigan as the Chair of its Board of Directors. Harrigan brings extensive expertise in health care policy, quality improvement, and data systems to this role. Emma Harrigan succeeds Richard Elmore in this role. Elmore actively served on the VITL Board since 2015. VITL would like to express deep gratitude to Elmore for his crucial contributions to VITL’s work, and his support of the VITL team. Harrigan is Vice President of Policy at the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems (VAHHS). In this capacity, she provides leadership on mental health policy, quality initiatives, systems design, member development, emergency preparedness, and data analysis for hospitals and health systems across Vermont.