Vermonters living with opioid addiction told legislators Thursday that there had not been enough time allowed for consideration of more innovative — and potentially more impactful — uses for opioid lawsuits settlement funds.
A multi-hour debate on a bill focused on suicide prevention ended with a vote that fell mostly along party lines.
The Green Mountain Care Board decision gives the Department of Mental Health the lead in setting spending priorities.
A finance committee vote Wednesday afternoon stands between the bill and the Senate floor.
The House Judiciary Committee approved three proposed changes to Vermont’s gun laws after a two-week effort to accommodate Vermont’s youth hunting traditions and likely federal constitutional challenges to come.
The agreement allows a Vermont doctor to provide care to the Connecticut woman who brought the federal suit, and commits the state health department to supporting repeal of the state’s current residency requirement.
The service agency, based in Morristown, provides direct support and coordinates shared living arrangements for Vermonters with developmental disabilities and brain injuries.
The decision on whether to loosen restrictions on the use of $18 million held by the UVM Health Network has raised questions about the board’s ability to direct private health care investment.
Despite stepping away from OneCare, BlueCross BlueShield plans to continue the payments that had been expected in 2023 through the accountable care organization for the full year.
The three-year contract raises wages of technical services staff, with the least compensated workers receiving the biggest increase, as local recruitment still lags behind open positions.