Vermont
Vermont health care regulators approve OneCare’s annual budget, likely its last – VTDigger
For likely the last time, state health care regulators at the Green Mountain Care Board on Wednesday approved the annual budget for OneCare Vermont, the accountable care organization that has been the linchpin of Vermont’s “all-payer” health care payment reform efforts since 2018.
OneCare announced in early November that 2025 would be its last year in operation. Dec. 31, 2025, is also the anticipated end date for what the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services calls the “Vermont All-Payer ACO Model.”
The care board approved an organizational budget of just under $11.3 million, a reduction of almost $1.5 million from OneCare’s original request, submitted before the nonprofit’s board of managers voted to close its doors.
Regulators directed OneCare — which since October 2021 has been solely a subsidiary of the University of Vermont Health Network — to redistribute the latter amount to independent health care providers that participate in the organization’s “population health management” programs, including primary care offices, home health agencies and area agencies on aging.
Green Mountain Care Board Chair Owen Foster called the approved budget “very fair for OneCare,” given that it was not significantly lower than the organization’s actual spending in 2024.
The reduced budget level-funded salary and benefit expenses from 2024 and eliminated the unfilled position of chief financial officer. Tom Borys, who served in that role, took over as interim chief executive officer after Abe Berman, who served as OneCare’s CEO since May 2023, stepped down earlier this month.
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The care board also cut money that was allocated to pay for an annual outside evaluation no longer being required by the board, and for lobbying and board recruitment.
“It’s obviously a different budget than in prior years with a winddown coming of the operations,” Foster said.
Borys acknowledged that “the paradigm has changed for us” and accepted the rationale for the cuts in public comments to the board on Dec. 4 and written comments on Dec. 12. The organization’s goal for 2025 was to “do our best for the state, the providers, the patients that they serve, and also be mindful of the cost,” he said.
Borys added that OneCare expected to continue its full list of activities through the end of 2025. The plan is to spend the first half of 2026 closing down, with the final steps of the shutdown completed by that October, he said. Care board staff said it was currently unclear whether the regulator would need to approve a partial budget for 2026, assuming the federal “all-payer model” ends when expected at the end of 2025.
The model has been a unique policy framework — and the basis for a legal contract between the federal health insurance agency, Vermont’s Agency of Human Services and the care board — that has allowed Medicare and Medicaid funds to be distributed by an accountable care organization in nontraditional ways.
The new payment methods have included adding bonus payments for providers who meet certain care quality standards and “per patient per month” payments to independent primary care providers. The strategies were intended to bolster preventative care and reduce overall health care spending.
For the duration of the model’s contract, which started in 2018, OneCare has been Vermont’s only “all-payer” accountable care organization — meaning it does business with private providers, Medicaid and Medicare — so it has been the only entity capable of carrying out the terms of the agreement.
In late November, the care board approved the 2025 budgets of Lore Health, Vytalize Health and Aledade Accountable Care as submitted. All three are accountable care organizations operating in Vermont that provide services only to patients insured by Medicare.
On Wednesday, members of the care board also received an update on negotiations with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services over Vermont’s participation in a new federal reform model called the AHEAD program, which stands for States Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development.
Vermont is one of six states that has been selected to participate. The others are Maryland, Connecticut, Hawaii, New York and Rhode Island. A care board vote on whether to move forward with preparations to participate is expected in mid-January.
Care board member Thom Walsh questioned whether President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration would back the federal reform program’s continued rollout. If it did not, he asked, did leaders at the Agency of Human Services have a backup plan for funding programs that health care providers and their patients have come to rely on?
OneCare did successfully defend one part of its 2025 budget: the continuation of its “regional care representative” program, which the care board had put on the chopping block.
The $300,000 pays primary care providers within OneCare’s network to work with peers in their region on how best to make use of the data and reports the ACO provides. The program is needed for the organization to maintain a connection with those offices, which is essential for progress towards shared care quality goals, Borys said.
“I’d like personally to end the all-payer model era on a high note,” he said.
The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.
TO REPORT SCORES
Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.
▶ Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.
▶ Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.
MONDAY’S H.S. PLAYOFF GAMES
ALPINE SKIING
State championships (giant slalom) at Burke Mountain
D-I GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
At Patrick Gym
No. 2 Rutland (19-2) vs. No. 3 St. Johnsbury (16-5), 6 p.m.
No. 1 Mount Mansfield (20-1) vs. No. 4 North Country (19-3), 7:30 p.m.
D-IV GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
At Barre Auditorium
No. 1 Richford (19-2) vs. No. 4 Mid Vermont Christian (6-2), 5:30 p.m.
No. 3 West Rutland (14-8) vs. No. 7 Rivendell (12-10), 7:30 p.m.
D-I BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS
Games at 7 p.m. unless noted
No. 13 North Country (3-17) at No. 4 Rutland (14-6)
No. 12 Essex (4-16) at No. 5 Champlain Valley (12-8)
No. 10 St. Johnsbury (5-15) at No. 7 Burr and Burton (12-8)
No. 11 Colchester (5-15) at No. 6 BFA-St. Albans (12-8)
D-III BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS
No. 11 BFA-Fairfax (10-10) at No. 6 Thetford (12-8), 7 p.m.
D-IV BOYS BASKETBALL PLAY-INS
No. 17 Sharon (3-17) at No. 16 Long Trail (4-16), 6 p.m.
TUESDAY’S H.S. PLAYOFF GAMES
ALPINE SKIING
State championships (slalom) at Burke Mountain
D-II GIRLS HOCKEY PLAY-INS
No. 9 Brattleboro (0-17-1) at No. 8 Stowe (4-16), 5:15 p.m.
D-I BOYS HOCKEY PLAY-INS
No. 8 Burlington (8-12) at No. 9 St. Johnsbury (3-16-1), 5:30 p.m.
D-II BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS
No. 13 Lake Region (4-16) at No. 4 Montpelier (11-9), 7 p.m.
D-IV BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS
Games at 7 p.m. unless noted
No. 9 Arlington (11-9) at No. 8 Richford (12-8), 6 p.m.
Winner Game 1 at No. 1 Twinfield/Cabot (19-1)
No. 13 Grace Christian (4-15) at No. 4 Mount St. Joseph (17-2)
No. 12 Poultney (6-14) at No. 5 Twin Valley (16-4)
No. 15 Blue Mountain (3-17) at No. 2 West Rutland (20-0)
No. 10 Proctor (11-9) at No. 7 Danville (14-6)
No. 14 Northfield (3-17) at No. 3 Mid Vermont Christian (2-0)
No. 11 Rivendell (10-10) at No. 6 Williamstown (14-6)
(Subject to change)
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.
Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.
Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.
Here’s a look at March 1, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 1 drawing
Day: 8-7-7
Evening: 0-3-3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 1 drawing
Day: 1-8-1-2
Evening: 0-3-1-1
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 1 drawing
10-11-12-35-56, Bonus: 04
Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.
For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.
All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.
Vermont Lottery Headquarters
1311 US Route 302, Suite 100
Barre, VT
05641
When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
- Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
- Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
- Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
- Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
- Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
- Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily
What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?
Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Colorblind museum helps visitors see color for first time
A North Carolina museum is offering special glasses so that colorblind visitors can see art in full color.
Fox – Seattle
Looking for a new museum to visit this winter?
As a historic state with European settlements going all the way back to the 1600s, Vermont is home to many historical museums dedicated to preserving the state’s foundational role in United States history.
In fact, the state’s oldest museum dates all the way back to 1884, making it almost 150 years old. Originally founded from a personal collection, Henry Sheldon Museum is not only the oldest museum in Vermont, but also the oldest community-based museum in the whole country.
Here’s a brief history of the oldest museum in Vermont, as well as how to visit.
History of Henry Sheldon Museum
According to the museum’s website, Henry Sheldon Museum was founded by its namesake, Henry Sheldon. A local businessman and avid collector, Sheldon turned his personal collection of furniture, paintings, documents, household objects and artifacts into a museum, which opened to the public in July of 1884, says the Vermont Historical Society.
The museum’s collection has expanded greatly since then and still continues to grow. Today, the Sheldon aims to help community members gain a deeper appreciation of Vermont’s local art and history through engaging art and history exhibits, programs, events and an extensive archival collection at the museum’s research center.
This spring’s upcoming feature exhibit will focus on the idea of time, displaying the museum’s collection of timepieces like clocks, watches, calendars, journals, time capsules and more.
How to visit Vermont’s oldest museum
Want to explore Vermont history and art at the oldest museum in the state? Henry Sheldon Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday throguh Saturday.
Admission costs $10 for adults or $5 for seniors, with free admission for members, students and children ages 18 and under. Appointments to visit the museum’s research center must be made by emailing archives@henrysheldonmuseum.org.
Henry Sheldon Museum is located at 1 Park St. in Middlebury.
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