Current News

Vermont Business Magazine VITL, the trusted source for securely delivering health data for Vermonters, announces today the launch of Vermont’s first two-way immunization data sharing connection between the Vermont Department of Health and Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital in St. Johnsbury. Using the two-way connection built with VITL, clinicians and the health department will be able to easily and efficiently exchange immunization data, back and forth, in real time. Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital’s clinicians will benefit from efficient access to patients’ immunization histories delivered through the new, two-way connection provided by VITL. The data is available with a single click in the hospital’s electronic health record (EHR).

Vermont Business Magazine The Emergency Department at Rutland Regional Medical Center has launched a new Nurse Practitioner Triage Model of Care with three Nurse Practitioners specializing in Emergency Medicine. The traditional triage model involves nurses who assess/stabilize the patient, and then await the evaluation by a provider who can then place orders such as x-rays, Cat Scan, labs, etc. Under the new triage model of care, the patient will first see a Nurse Practitioner who is licensed to order diagnostic tests, x-rays, scans, labs immediately. When the attending physician sees the patient, they will already have the results of the patient’s testing, etc. in hand and can make a diagnosis or recommendation for next steps.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont Federal Credit Union has partnered with the Boys and Girls Club of Burlington to support its Early Promise Program. The Early Promise Program provides partial sponsorships to all Early Promise graduates while they are enrolled in post-secondary education programs. “At Vermont Federal Credit Union, supporting our community is at the heart of everything we do” said Jean Giard, CEO of VFCU. “The Boys and Girls Club of Burlington is an incredible resource to our community and we are delighted to be able to support the continuing education of its members”.

by John McClaughry Up to now criticism of the Clean Heat Standard bill (S.5) has focused on its intended result of driving up prices of heating oil, propane, kerosene and natural gas somewhere from seventy cents to four dollars a gallon, in order to finance $2 billion worth of subsidies to people to quit using those fuels and install “cold climate heat pumps”, “advanced wood heat”, and home weatherization. The bill is built upon a complex “credit” system managed by the unaccountable Public Utility Commission, designed to shield the law from the charge of being a carbon tax – although it will have precisely the same effect on consumers. The two largest corporate cheerleaders for the CHS are Vermont Gas Systems (VGS), the regulated monopoly that controls natural gas delivery, and Green Mountain Power (GMP), the state’s largest electricity supplier. Both are owned by the Quebec energy giant Energir.

by Devon Green, VP of Government Relations On Friday evening, the Senate Appropriations Committee wrapped up their work on the FY 24 budget, and passed it out of their committee unanimously. This truly signals the ramp up to the end of the session, where we expect to see child care and paid family leave as some of the biggest initiatives for the House and Senate to hash out. They include: Workplace Violence; APS Bill; Shield Laws; among others.

Vermont Business Magazine St Johnsbury’s Barrett Insurance Agency has officially awarded a $10,000 donation to Northeast Kingdom Cancer Action Network, Inc. (NEKCAN), a local organization dedicated to providing grants to those fighting cancer while raising awareness and supporting cancer research in the Northeast Kingdom of Vermont. The $10,000 award will help NEKCAN provide direct monetary support to individuals being treated for cancer in the Northeast Kingdom (Caledonia, Orleans, and Essex in Northern Vermont counties). This includes paying for gas for patients to drive to and from treatment, purchasing heating oil for their tanks to keep warm in the winter, covering the cost of groceries and so much more.

Vermont Business Magazine Rutland Regional Medical Center has announced the return of the Green Mountain Gala on Saturday, May 20 after a three-year hiatus. The gala, which will be held at the Southside Steakhouse in Rutland, is the hospital’s signature fundraising event. The event features fabulous food, including hand-crafted tapas and cuisine stations, as well as dancing to one of Vermont’s hottest bands, A House on Fire. Proceeds from the evening will support expanding infusion services at Rutland Regional.

Vermont Business Magazine Vermont recently announced the three commissioners of its Truth and Reconciliation Commission, a group tasked with examining issues of racism, discrimination, and eugenics in state laws and policies, both historically and today. As members of a marginalized community with homelands in what is now known as Vermont for more than 12,000 years, the Abenaki Alliance supports the intention of the Commission and stands with the commissioners as they embark upon a journey of research, review, and policy recommendations over the next three years.

Vermont Business Magazine On Wednesday, the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) will host its annual Cancer Action Day, where dozens of advocates will convene at the State House to meet with lawmakers and urge them to end the sale of menthol cigarettes and all flavored tobacco products. Advocates and lawmakers will also have a chance to enjoy local Vermont ice cream with the pressing reminder that flavors belong in candy and ice cream – not tobacco. This year is particularly meaningful, as it marks the first-time advocates have been able to return to the State House since the start of the pandemic.

Vermont Business Magazine The Vermont Housing Finance Agency (VHFA) Board of Commissioners announced last week that its annual award of federal housing tax credits will support the construction of 112 homes in perpetually affordable apartment buildings in four communities across the state. The sale of this year’s tax credits to investors is expected to yield over $28 million in funds covering an estimated 60 percent of total project development costs. These housing construction projects will take place in a uniquely challenging environment. Elevated development costs, interest rates and housing needs among Vermonters heavily influenced project planning. The cost of developing a unit of rental housing in Vermont has increased 36% since 2018. They will be located in Putney, West Rutland, St Johnsbury and Burlington.