The Vermont Statutes Online

Title 18 : Health

Chapter 221 : Health Care Administration

Subchapter 001 : QUALITY, RESOURCE ALLOCATION, AND COST CONTAINMENT

• § 9403b. Vermont Steering Committee for Comprehensive Primary Health Care

  (a) There is created the Vermont Steering Committee for Comprehensive Primary Health Care to inform the work of State government, including the Blueprint for Health and the Office of Health Care Reform in the Agency of Human Services, as it relates to access to, delivery of, and payment for primary care services in Vermont.

  (b) The Steering Committee shall be composed of the following members:

  (1) the Chair of the Department of Family Medicine at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine or designee;

  (2) the Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine or designee;

  (3) the Associate Dean for Primary Care at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine or designee;

  (4) the Executive Director of the Vermont Child Health Improvement Program at the University of Vermont Larner College of Medicine or designee;

  (5) the President of the Vermont Academy of Family Physicians or designee;

  (6) the President of the American Academy of Pediatrics, Vermont Chapter, or designee;

  (7) a member of the Green Mountain Care Board’s Primary Care Advisory Committee, selected by the Green Mountain Care Board;

  (8) the Executive Director of the Blueprint for Health;

  (9) a primary care clinician who practices at an independent practice, selected by HealthFirst;

  (10) a primary care clinician who practices at a federally qualified health center, selected by Bi-State Primary Care Association;

  (11) a primary care physician, selected by the Vermont Medical Society;

  (12) a primary care physician assistant, selected by the Physician Assistant Academy of Vermont;

  (13) a primary care nurse practitioner, selected by the Vermont Nurse Practitioners Association;

  (14) a mental health provider who practices at a community mental health center designated pursuant to section 8907 of this title, selected by Vermont Care Partners;

  (15) a licensed independent clinical social worker, selected by the National Association of Social Workers, Vermont Chapter; and

  (16) a psychologist, selected by the Vermont Psychological Association.

  (c) The Steering Committee shall:

  (1) engage in an ongoing assessment of comprehensive primary care needs in Vermont;

  (2) provide recommendations for recruiting and retaining high-quality primary care providers, including on ways to encourage new talent to join Vermont’s primary care workforce;

  (3) develop proposals for sustainable payment models for primary care;

  (4) identify methods for enhancing Vermonters’ access to primary care;

  (5) recommend opportunities to reduce administrative burdens on primary care providers;

  (6) recommend mechanisms for measuring the quality of primary care services delivered in Vermont;

  (7) provide input regarding comprehensive primary health care for the Statewide Health Care Delivery Strategic Plan as it is developed, updated, and implemented pursuant to section 9403 of this title;

  (8) consult with the Green Mountain Care Board in the event that the Board develops reference-based pricing for primary care providers as permitted under subdivision 9376(e)(5) of this title; and

  (9) offer additional recommendations and guidance to the Blueprint for Health, the Office of Health Care Reform, the General Assembly, and others in State government on ways to increase access to primary care services and to improve patient and provider satisfaction with primary care delivery in Vermont.

  (d) The Steering Committee shall receive administrative and technical assistance from the Agency of Human Services.

  (e)(1) The Executive Director of the Blueprint for Health shall call the first meeting of the Steering Committee to occur on or before September 1, 2025.

  (2) The Steering Committee shall select a chair from among its members at the first meeting.

  (3) A majority of the membership of the Steering Committee shall constitute a quorum.

  (f) Members of the Steering Committee shall not receive per diem compensation or reimbursement of expenses for their participation on the Steering Committee. (Added 2025, No. 68, § 9a, eff. June 12, 2025.)