Green Mountain Care Board

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital projects a $7.1 million deficit for fiscal 2027 despite planning to close its birthing center by December 31. The hospital, which has operated with acting administrators since November 2024, reports ongoing financial instability and significant deficiencies in accounting and compliance.

Brattleboro dropped a proposed municipal tax hike to support Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s financially struggling birthing center after hospital leaders expressed concerns about divisiveness and affordability. The hospital faces a $4.8 million annual deficit and may close its obstetric services within six to nine months unless a solution is found. Hospital and town officials now advocate for state-level interventions, including adjusting Medicaid reimbursement rates.

Brattleboro Memorial Hospital's multiyear budget deficit has risen to at least $30 million, with $16 million in shortfalls for the last fiscal year and $14.5 million projected for the current year. Administrators missed state budget submission deadlines and cited financial reporting system failures, while proposing the closure of the birthing center, which faces a $4.8 million loss.

The article critiques Vermont's healthcare system, arguing that government budget controls under the Green Mountain Care Board limit hospital capacity and patient access. It highlights a $94.5 million funding denial for Vermont hospitals in 2026, including UVM Medical Center, which delayed a surgical center expansion, reducing surgical capacity.

Owen Foster is stepping down as chair of Vermont's Green Mountain Care Board by September 2024 to focus on family and professional pursuits. He will remain on the board as a regular member, and under his leadership, the board has adopted a stricter approach to hospital budgets and insurance premium increases.

Blue Cross Blue Shield canceled its proposed 'Vermont Basic' health plans with an $11,800 deductible, criticized as unaffordable for low-income Vermonters. The author argues high deductibles force people to avoid healthcare until crises arise, advocating for a universal publicly funded system instead.

BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont withdrew its proposed lower-cost, higher-deductible 'Vermont Basic' health plans for 2027 due to regulatory delays and disputes over approval conditions. The insurer cited uncertainty about approval timelines and regulatory overreach by the Green Mountain Care Board, which imposed additional requirements before finalizing the plan.

Governor Phil Scott vetoed S.190, a Vermont healthcare bill aiming to accelerate premium savings for public school employees and Affordable Care Act marketplace users through reference-based pricing. Scott argued the bill unfairly targeted specific groups, opting instead for broader reforms, while supporters, including Rep. Alyssa Black, criticized the veto as vengeful.

BlueCross BlueShield of Vermont proposes new lower-premium, higher-deductible health plans called Vermont Basic, but the Green Mountain Care Board is delaying approval, questioning whether the plans offer genuine savings. The insurer warns that delayed approval could lead to withdrawing the plans, as the higher deductibles and narrower networks may shift costs to consumers.

James Hodge, a Copley Hospital board member, criticizes Vermont's top-down hospital transformation plan led by the Green Mountain Care Board and Agency of Human Services. He argues that centralized control fails due to lack of expertise and proposes a two-step solution involving standardized reference prices to address cost disparities and inefficiencies across hospitals.

The article argues that Vermont's political leadership is harming the state through policies that burden working residents, including high property taxes, energy costs, and healthcare cuts, while insulating themselves from consequences. It criticizes the Green Mountain Care Board's handling of mental health resources and links rising crime and gun violence to restrictive firearm laws.