by Devon Green, VAHHS Sr. Vice President of Policy & Strategy
As always, Crossover Week was a wild ride as some bills advanced out of their policy committees and lived to see another day and other bills died on the wall. See below for a recap of our biggest bills. We’ll have a full analysis next week.
Site Neutral: The House Health Care Committee advanced H.585, a bill that started off with several health insurance proposals and a large proposal to make all outpatient services site-neutral. After VAHHS testimony that converting all outpatient services to site neutral would have more than a $200M impact on hospitals, the version of the bill that passed out of committee on Friday has a more targeted approach with an equalized fee schedule for physical therapy, occupational therapy, and athletic training.
Reference-Based Pricing: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee passed S.190, a bill that will limit reimbursement to hospitals for small business and individual health plans to 250% of Medicare. A last-minute discussion left the bill with inconsistent definitions of Medicare. The impact to hospitals is estimated by the Green Mountain Care Board to be $50M.
Outsourced Services: Also in S.190, the Senate Health and Welfare Committee reduced the Green Mountain Care Board’s request to regulate outsourced hospital services to stakeholder engagement and hospital reporting. VAHHS appreciates this change, especially after Brattleboro Memorial hospital raised concerns about access to services.
Primary Care Expansion: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee clarified the concepts within S.197 to continuing the Blueprint for Health program in a sustainable manner now that the All-Payer Model has expired. The bill requires all health insurers to participate in the Blueprint. It also asks the Blueprint to come back to the legislature with recommendations on per-person payments.
Private Equity: After work between health care provider associations and the Health Care Advocate, the House Health Care Committee advanced a modified private equity bill with H.583. The version that passed out of committee includes a new definition of private equity and hedge funds and prohibits their interference in the practice of medicine. It also contains a simple attestation for health care organizations not owned by private equity, which include all of Vermont’s hospitals.
Elimination or Reduction of Hospital Services: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee advanced S.189, which adjusts the current process around hospital elimination or reduction of services to hospital notice to policymakers and holding a public meeting. AHS shall issue a nonbinding recommendation to the Green Mountain Care Board.
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