Vermont

Lawmakers send to Gov. Scott bill to curb insurance companies’ influence on health care

Published

2 years ago

May 4, 2024

Lawmakers send to Gov. Scott bill to curb insurance companies’ influence on health care

Vermont legislators passed a bill to streamline insurance requirements for health care and are urging Gov. Phil Scott to sign the bill into law.

The bill, H.766, will reduce administrative delays and remove barriers to care for Vermont patients, according to proponents. The University of Vermont Health Care Network, the state’s largest health care provider, has been pushing for the bill’s passage.

“We have reached a point where insurance companies can tell us what we can and can’t do, even in life-threatening emergencies, and the victims are always patients,” Dr. Katie Marvin, a family physician at Lamoille Health Partners, said in a statement.

Marvin took particular aim at the insurance company practice of requiring prior authorization for drugs and procedures, putting clinicians in the position of having to ask permission from insurance companies before a patient can receive services.

“(Prior authorizations) lead to delays in care, lapses in medications and apathy in providers,” Marvin said. “This bill may change this, which is why I have supported H.766 through the legislative process and spoke to the Governor about it last week.”

Pediatrician: Insurance practices leading to a crisis for kids with asthma

The House passed the bill unanimously on March 13, while the Senate voted 25-2 in favor of the bill on April 26. The Senate added an amendment, approved by the House, which requires insurance companies to give patients access to at least one type of available asthma inhaler without prior authorization.

“Insurance practices are leading to a crisis in caring for kids with asthma right now,” Dr. Kristen Connolly, a pediatrician, said in a statement. “We have had to order multiple types of inhalers to supplement for the one type of inhaler patients actually need. We have heard of rationing and increases in ER visits. This is our health system now − here in Vermont. We can do better.”

More: Vermont health care providers blame prior authorization for compromising patient care

The bill also ends a process where insurance companies could request patient records before paying for health care services that had been delivered.

“The increase in administrative burden required increasing our staffing to process the claims,” Dr. Julie Lin, an independent dermatologist in St. Albans, said in a statement. “There were also times that this policy meant we asked patients if they were willing to come back on two different days for certain services we could have delivered in one appointment so we could get timely payment by the insurance company. This added delays in care and inconvenience for patients. We know how long patients are waiting for dermatology services and this only made it worse.”

Legislators don’t buy insurance companies’ argument that costs will increase due to the bill

Rep. Alyssa Black, D-Essex, rejected the argument insurance companies have been making against the bill that it will drive up costs.

“Payers claim H.766 will lead to increased costs, but prior authorizations are almost always approved, serving only to delay care, and can drive up costs through incentivizing people to go to emergency departments when care is not approved, which is the most expensive location,” Black said in a statement. “Primary care spends less, orders fewer tests, fewer unnecessary labs, and provides the most economic, best bang for your buck.”

Sen. Ginny Lyons, D-Chittenden Southeast, said the bill is a first step in decreasing the administrative burdens on practitioners.

“We all benefit when health care providers can get back to caring for patients, not paperwork,” Lyons said in a statement.

Contact Dan D’Ambrosio at 660-1841 or ddambrosi@gannett.com. Follow him on X @DanDambrosioVT.

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Vermont

Spring-like days ahead, but the risk for additional river ice jams and flooding will continue.

Published

10 hours ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Spring-like days ahead, but the risk for additional river ice jams and flooding will continue.

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – It was a pleasant Sunday with spring-like temperatures, but it also resulted in a few ice jams in rivers, which happened earlier than expected. The Ausable, Mad, Missisquoi and Great Chazy rivers flooded today due to ice jams. These rivers will recede tonight as temperatures get close to, or below, freezing. However, new ice jams may form, and additional rivers may flood on Monday as highs get even warmer. Expect partly sunny skies with highs in the upper 50s to low 60s. The wind may gust as highs as 40 mph. This will continue to support rapid snowmelt, which will run off into rivers and other bodies of water. Remember to never cross any flooded roads, and avoid going near river banks.

The threat for ice jams will continue into Thursday. A backdoor cold front may touch off a few showers on Tuesday, otherwise it will be partly sunny with highs ranging from the 40s north to the 50s and low 60s south. Computer models continue to bring a low pressure system in our area on Wednesday. It’s continuing to look a little warmer, though the heavier rain is now inching farther into Canada. That said, some rain is likely, and high temperatures will be at least in the low 40s, and may reach the 50s in southern parts of the region. Morning rain on Thursday will change to afternoon snow. A few inches accumulation is possible. Early highs in the 30s will fall through the 20s by afternoon, and overnight lows will be in the teens and low 20s, so everything will freeze up.

Friday will start off with some sunshine, then another, weaker system could bring a light rain/snow mix late in the day and overnight. A few inches of snow can’t be ruled out. A return to more seasonable temperatures will happen over the weekend with highs mainly in the mid-30s and lows in the teens and 20s. There’s the chance for snow showers both days, but significant weather isn’t expected.

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Vermont

20th Annual Vermont Composting Summit kicks off on March 25

Published

22 hours ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

20th Annual Vermont Composting Summit kicks off on March 25

MONTPELIER — The 20th annual Vermont Organics Recycling Summit (VORS) will be held on Wednesday, March 25, at the Montpelier Performing Arts Hub. It is organized by the Composting Association of Vermont (CAV) and the Agency of Natural Resources.

VORS brings together composters, farmers, businesses, educators, policymakers, and community leaders to advance solutions to keep clean organic materials out of landfills and return nutrients to Vermont soils. Additional workshops, tours, and hands-on learning opportunities will be held across the state on March 26..

“The 20th annual Vermont Organics Recycling Summit is guided by the theme, Compost! Feed the Soil that Feeds Us,” said Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Misty Sinsigalli. “This is a cornerstone gathering for Vermont’s growing organics recycling ecosystem. Whether you’re a backyard composter, a farmer, a municipal leader, or a sustainability advocate, VORS provides a critical forum for cross-sector collaboration.”

A highlight of this milestone year will be the keynote presentation from Jayne Merner. Merner is a lifelong compost practitioner and co-owner / operator of Earth Care Farm in Rhode Island. She grew up working in compost production and now leads one of the region’s best-known large-scale compost operations. Merner also hosts The Composter podcast and has taught composting and soil stewardship around the world.

Each year, VORS fosters connections, sparks innovation, and helps translate policy and research into real-world action. The summit welcomes all who are passionate about creating healthier communities through composting.

CAV is partnering with ORCA Media to record sessions for post-event viewing.

To learn more and register for VORS, visit compostingvermont.org/vors-2026.

The Department of Environmental Conservation is responsible for protecting Vermont’s natural resources and safeguarding human health for the benefit of this and future generations. Visit dec.vermont.gov and follow the Department of Environmental Conservation on Facebook and Instagram.

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Vermont

Vermont National Guard holds change of command ceremony

Published

1 day ago

March 8, 2026

Press Room

Vermont National Guard holds change of command ceremony

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – The Vermont National Guard held a change of command ceremony Saturday, with a new adjutant general taking the helm.

The passing of the state’s colors marked the transfer of authority. The flag used was the Green Mountain Boys flag, which has flown around the world.

Maj. Gen. Gregory Knight stepped down after seven years leading the Vermont National Guard. Incoming Adjutant General Harder, who previously served as deputy adjutant general, has 36 years of service across multiple roles within the organization.

At the ceremony, Knight reflected on the periods when the National Guard was deployed, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2023 floods and current overseas deployments with soldiers in Iran.

“Our duty is to hand both the uniform and the mission forward in better condition than when we received it,” Knight said. “The mantle of leadership doesn’t belong to us. We borrow it for a time and our responsibility is to leave it stronger for the next person who wears it.”

Harder said the role carries significant personal meaning.

“Leading this organization is the honor of a lifetime,” Harder said.

Gov. Scott, a Republican, spoke to Harder’s qualifications during the ceremony.

“General Hank Harder’s service to our nation has proven him to be a distinguished leader with the right character and curiosity to continue the work of guiding the guard into the future,” Scott said.

Harder acknowledged Knight’s tenure during the ceremony.

“Your leadership has left the Vermont National Guard stronger, more capable and ready for the future,” Harder said.

160 Vermont soldiers are currently in Germany on a training mission with Ukraine. Several hundred more are deployed in the Middle East.

Harder addressed the deployed service members during the ceremony.

“We are so proud of what they do each and every day and we’re supporting them from afar and we know what it’s like and we look forward to them completing their mission and coming home,” Harder said.

Harder said the guard has no control over what happens once troops are overseas but is actively providing support to service members’ families in Vermont.

The ceremony was attended by Gov. Phil Scott, members of the military and family members.

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