Senate Committee on Health and Welfare

 

AGENDA

 

Room 17 and Zoom

February 11, 2025 - February 14, 2025

Last Updated 3/18/2025 10:16 AM

 

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are livestreamed at

https://legislature.vermont.gov/committee/streaming/senate-health-and-welfare.

Tuesday, February 11, 2025

9:30 AM                   Senate Floor

 

10:00 AM                   S. 126 - An act relating to health care payment and delivery system reform

Walk-through of committee bill outline

Jennifer Carbee, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

 

11:40 AM                   VT Nurse Practitioners Association

Bridgid Meehan-Brese, Nurse Practitioner, VT Nurse Practitioners Association

Janet Kaplan, Nurse-Midwife, VT Nurse Practitioners Association

 

-                                   VT 211 Day

Elizabeth Gilman, Executive Director, United Way of Vermont

 

12:00 PM                   Adjourn

 

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

9:00 AM                   S. 27 - An act relating to medical debt relief and excluding medical debt from credit reports

Introduction

Sen. Virginia "Ginny" Lyons, Sponsor

 

-                                   S. 27 - An act relating to medical debt relief and excluding medical debt from credit reports

Walk-through

Jennifer Carbee, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Michael Pieciak, Vermont State Treasurer, Office of the State Treasurer

Ernie Davis, Senior Director-Northeast Govt. Affairs, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society

Franci Wayland, Vice President, Public Policy and Government Relations, PRA Group

 

10:00 AM                   S. 126 - An act relating to health care payment and delivery system reform

Health care economics and hospital auditing overview

Nancy Kane, Board Member, Chair of Finance Committee, UMass Memorial Health

 

-                                   Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care

Introduction and overview

Hillary Wolfley, Executive Director, Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care, Inc. (VPQHC)

Patrice Knapp, Strategic Quality Improvement Consultant , Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care, Inc. (VPQHC)

Randall Messier, Quality Improvement Specialist, Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care, Inc. (VPQHC)

Mary McQuiggan, Director of Programs, Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care, Inc. (VPQHC)

 

11:35 AM                   Vermont Arts Council

Creative Aging Initiative

Ashley Storrow, Program Director, Main Street Arts, Saxtons River

Susan Still, Board Chair, Main Street Arts, Saxtons River

Troy Hickman, Education Programs Manager, Vermont Arts Council

 

-                                   Farm to School and Early Childhood Day

Dr. Mark Levine, M.D., Commissioner, Vermont Department of Health

Gina Clithero, Farm to Institution Program Manager, Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets

Beth Traveer-Adolphus, Executive Director, Oak Hill Children's Center

 

-                                   VT Association of Chain Drug Stores

Mike Duteau, President, Vermont Association of Chain Drug Stores

 

12:00 PM                   Adjourn

 

1:00 PM                   Senate Floor

 

Thursday, February 13, 2025

9:00 AM                   S. 18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers

Testimony

Jill Alliman, Project Director, American Association of Birth Centers

Lindsay Lachant, CNM, Nurse-Midwife

Carolyn Barnwell, Chief Operating Officer, Etalia

Dr. Lauren MacAfee, Board Member, Vermont Medical Society

Alex McCracken, Director of Communications and Legislative Affairs, Department of Vermont Health Access (DVHA)

Devon Green, Vice President of Government Relations, Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems

Rinn Mandeville, CNM, Nurse-Midwife, Copley Hospital

Shayla Livingston, Member, Vermont Birth Center Coalition

 

10:15 AM                   S. 126 - An act relating to health care payment and delivery system reform

Auditing overview

Doug Hoffer, State Auditor, State Auditor's Office

Tanya Morehouse, Chief Auditor, State Auditor's Office

 

11:00 AM                   S. 28 - An act relating to access to certain legally protected health care services

Devon Green, Vice President of Government Relations, Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems

Jessa Barnard, Executive Director, Vermont Medical Society

Jessica Barquist, Vice President of Public Affairs, VT, Planned Parenthood of Northern New England

 

11:30 AM                   Governor's Proposed FY2026 Budget

General assistance and emergency housing budget language

Miranda Gray, Deputy Commissioner, Economic Services Division, Department for Children and Families

Megan Smeaton, Financial Director, Department for Children and Families

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Brenda Siegel, Executive Director, End Homelessness Vermont

 

12:00 PM                   Adjourn

 

1:00 PM                   Senate Floor

 

Friday, February 14, 2025

9:00 AM                   H. 31 - An act relating to claim edit standards and prior authorization requirements

Introduction

Rep. Alyssa Black, Sponsor

 

-                                   H. 31 - An act relating to claim edit standards and prior authorization requirements

Walk-through

Jennifer Carbee, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

Jessa Barnard, Executive Director, Vermont Medical Society

Sara Teachout, Director, Government, Public and Media Relations, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont

Jordan Estey, V.P. Government Affairs, MVP Health Care

Sebastian Arduengo, Assistant General Counsel, Department of Financial Regulation

 

9:50 AM                   H. 31 - An act relating to claim edit standards and prior authorization requirements

Vote

 

10:00 AM                   S. 18 - An act relating to licensure of freestanding birth centers

Dr. Timothy Fisher, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, UMass-Chan Medical School/ Baystate Medical Center

 

10:30 AM                   S. 33 - An act relating to establishing a pilot for community nurse programs serving aging Vermonters

Introduction

Sen. Rebecca "Becca" White, Sponsor

 

-                                   S. 33 - An act relating to establishing a pilot for community nurse programs serving aging Vermonters

Walk-through

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

 

10:50 AM                   S. 42 - An act relating to implementing the Restaurant Meals Program

Introduction

Sen. Ruth Hardy, Sponsor

 

11:00 AM                   S. 42 - An act relating to implementing the Restaurant Meals Program

Walk-through

Katie McLinn, Legislative Counsel, Office of Legislative Counsel

 

-                                   Developmental Disabilities Housing Initiative

Parent advocates

Laurie Mumley, Parent Advocate, Developmental Disabilities Housing Initiative

Marla McQuiston, Parent Advocate, Developmental Disabilities Housing Initiative

 

11:30 AM                   Senate Floor

 

ATTENTION WITNESSES

 

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Should you require accessibility services, please click here and note that requests should be made 48 hours in advance of testimony.

 

 

 

If you have any questions or comments, please contact

 Kiki Carasi-Schwartz at kcarasi-schwartz@leg.state.vt.us