AGP Executive Report

Benefits Access: Nearly 10,000 Vermonters have lost Medicaid coverage since federal changes became law, and new eligibility rules will expand to about 49,000 low-income adults as they renew. Free help is available through 211, where trained benefit assisters can explain notices, exemptions and next steps. Care Under Pressure: UVM Health’s elimination of nearly 200 jobs has raised concerns among nurses and students, while Vermont clinicians warn that rapid hospital cost cuts could weaken staffing, services and patient access. Maternal Health: A new report links birth centers with better health outcomes, but Vermont is among 10 states with none. Mental Health: Vermont announced a $4.95 million investment to strengthen suicide care, and a new mental health urgent care center is planned for Rutland.

Health Care Workforce: Nurses and students raised concerns after UVM Health eliminated nearly 200 jobs, putting staffing and services in the spotlight. Mental Health Access: A new mental health urgent care center is planned for Rutland, while a $4.95 million investment will strengthen suicide care statewide. Community Care: Western Connecticut Mental Health Network has become Vermont’s seventh certified community-based integrated health center, and free clinics are preparing for a surge as Medicaid changes take effect. Hospital Support: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital received a $4 million donation as it faces financial strain. Public Health: Vermonters can borrow free firewood moisture meters at 63 libraries; burning dry wood cuts smoke that can harm lung health.

Behavioral Health: Community Care Network plans to open a walk-in mental health urgent care center in Rutland in early 2027, offering adults in crisis assessment and stabilization as an alternative to the emergency room. Vermont also has a new $4.95 million investment to strengthen suicide care. Hospital Staffing: UVM Health’s plan to eliminate 199 positions has raised concerns among nurses and students; the cuts include closing a 30-bed medicine unit, even as staff say patients have waited days in the emergency department for beds. Access to Care: Vermont free clinics are preparing for increased demand as Medicaid changes threaten coverage. Barre’s People’s Health & Wellness Clinic serves more than 700 people a year and says about half its patients have Medicaid. Maternal Health: A new report links birth centers with better outcomes, but Vermont is among 10 states with none. Hospital Support: A local businessman has donated $4 million to Brattleboro Memorial Hospital, which has been facing financial strain.

Community Mental Health: Washington County Mental Health Services is Vermont’s seventh Certified Community-Based Integrated Health Center, extending integrated care to Washington County; the seven centers now serve about 80% of Vermonters. Suicide Prevention: The Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care received up to $4.95 million over three years to expand suicide-care training, quality improvement and data tracking statewide. Insurance Costs: Vermont’s 2027 individual marketplace rate increases landed around 2% for Blue Cross and just under 4% for MVP after state review—among the lowest finalized increases nationally. Hospital Finances: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital received a $4 million donation from local businessman Willy Buhlmann as it faces a projected $7.1 million deficit for the fiscal year.

Behavioral Health: Washington County Mental Health Services is Vermont’s seventh Certified Community-Based Integrated Health Center, expanding access to coordinated care; the network now serves about 80% of Vermonters. Separately, the Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care won up to $4.95 million over three years to strengthen suicide care. The state recorded 140 suicide deaths in 2025. Hospital Finances: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital received a $4 million gift from local businessman Willy Buhlmann as it faces a projected $7.1 million deficit for fiscal 2027. Community Health: UVM Health awarded the Greater Burlington YMCA $10,300 to support women-only swim sessions focused on water safety and confidence. Access and Affordability: Vermont free clinics are preparing for a surge in patients as Medicaid changes take effect. Meanwhile, the number of state retailers authorized to accept 3SquaresVT benefits fell from 619 in 2025 to 574 by August 2026, narrowing food access. Mental Health Access: Health Care and Rehabilitation Services announced a new mental health urgent care center.

Suicide Care: Vermont’s quality-of-care program received up to $4.95 million over three years to improve suicide prevention and care statewide through training, technical support and better tracking. The state recorded 140 suicide deaths in 2025. Mental Health Access: HCRS won $3.6 million to open a 24/7 walk-in urgent care center in Brattleboro, planned for January 2027, with short-term residential beds for children and teens. Water Safety: UVM Health awarded the Greater Burlington YMCA $10,300 to expand its women-only swim program, helping participants build swimming skills and confidence in a welcoming setting.

Mental Health Care: Health Care & Rehabilitation Services will use a $3.6 million state grant to open a 24/7 walk-in crisis center in Brattleboro, with services expected to begin in January 2027. The plan also includes four short-term residential beds for children and teens. Suicide Prevention: The Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care received up to $4.95 million over three years to expand training, support and quality improvement across the state’s suicide-care system. Water Safety: UVM Health awarded the Greater Burlington YMCA $10,300 to help women build swimming skills in a private, welcoming setting. Sleep Services: Rutland Regional Medical Center has expanded its sleep disorders center, adding clinic space to meet growing demand; the accredited center is accepting patients.

Community Health: The Greater Burlington YMCA received $10,300 from UVM Health to expand Women’s Swim, offering women a private, inclusive place to learn water safety and swimming. Suicide Prevention: Vermont’s Program for Quality in Health Care won up to $4.95 million over three years to improve suicide care statewide through training, support for providers and better tracking. The state recorded 140 suicide deaths in 2025. Sleep Care: Rutland Regional Medical Center has opened an expanded sleep disorders center with six rooms for overnight evaluations. The accredited center is accepting patients and will operate seven days a week.

Suicide Care: Vermont’s quality-of-care program received up to $4.95 million over three years to expand training and evidence-based suicide care statewide; 140 Vermonters died by suicide in 2025. Community Health: UVM Health awarded the Greater Burlington YMCA $10,300 for women-only swim lessons that build water safety and confidence. Sleep Health: Rutland Regional Medical Center opened a six-room sleep disorders center, accepting patients seven days a week. Medicaid Access: Vermont free clinics expect more patients as new Medicaid work and renewal rules put roughly 49,000 people at risk of losing coverage. Addiction Services: A $3 million federal grant will help four Addison County nonprofits expand substance-use treatment and recovery support, addressing a county with no inpatient detox or residential treatment program.

Suicide Care: Vermont’s Program for Quality in Health Care received up to $4.95 million over three years to improve suicide-care training and practices statewide. Medicaid Access: Free clinics are preparing for more uninsured patients as new work rules and renewal requirements put roughly 49,000 Vermonters at risk of losing coverage; one Barre clinic expects hundreds of new patients. Community Wellness: UVM Health awarded the Greater Burlington YMCA $10,300 to expand women-only swim lessons, helping participants build water-safety skills in a welcoming setting. Addiction Treatment: A $3 million federal grant will support four Addison County nonprofits working to improve access to substance-use treatment and recovery services, where local gaps remain significant. Hospital Care: Rutland Regional Medical Center introduced its new da Vinci 5 surgical system, a surgeon-operated tool intended to assist procedures.

Medicaid Coverage: Vermont free clinics expect hundreds of new patients as coverage changes take effect. About 49,000 more Vermonters could lose Medicaid under new work and renewal requirements, including people who miss paperwork. Suicide Care: The Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care received up to $4.95 million over three years to expand training and strengthen suicide care across the state. Vermont recorded 140 suicide deaths in 2025. Addiction Treatment: A $3 million federal grant will support four Addison County nonprofits working to expand treatment and recovery services, where access is limited and many people go without care. Community Health: UVM Health awarded the Greater Burlington YMCA $10,300 for women-only swim sessions that build water-safety skills and confidence. Surgical Technology: Rutland Regional Medical Center introduced its da Vinci 5 surgical system, designed to assist surgeons during procedures.

Primary Care: Gubernatorial candidate Amanda Janoo is proposing state-funded, free primary and preventive care, with other services remaining in the current system. The plan revives Vermont’s debate over universal healthcare, but faces questions about cost and implementation. Mental Health: Vermont ranks among the states with the strongest mental-healthcare access, yet a national survey found nearly half of adults who need care don’t know where to start. Separately, a lawsuit alleges Washington County Mental Health failed to respond in person during a 2024 crisis before a Montpelier couple were killed; the claims have not been proven in court. Cancer Rates: Vermont recorded 15.6 breast cancer deaths per 100,000 women in 2024, among the nation’s lowest rates, according to CDC data. The figures don’t explain why rates vary or measure access to screening and treatment. Medicaid Oversight: A Moretown psychotherapist received a five-year deferred sentence after admitting to billing Vermont for more than $4,000 in services she did not provide. She must repay $4,551 and cannot practice psychotherapy during probation.

Medicaid Oversight: A Moretown psychotherapist convicted of billing Vermont for treatment she never provided received a deferred sentence. She must repay $4,551 and stay out of psychotherapy practice for five years. Care for Vulnerable Vermonters: The state is seeking shelter options for homeless people with complex medical needs, while proposed cuts at UVM Medical Center have raised concerns about care for vulnerable patients. A $20 million gift to Dartmouth Health will support a home healthcare program. Respiratory Illness: State health officials say COVID-19 and other viruses are slowly increasing, while flu numbers remain low so far.

Complex Care: Vermont is seeking a provider partner to open a shelter for up to 25 homeless residents with serious medical needs, including people who require wound care, medication support and clinical oversight. Hospital and Rural Services: Proposed cuts at UVM Medical Center have raised concerns about care for vulnerable patients, while hospital unions approved contracts that averted a strike. Dartmouth Health is also addressing rural hospice and palliative-care gaps, and a $20 million gift will launch its home-healthcare program. Care in Schools: Vermont’s expanded Medicaid rules let schools seek reimbursement for medically necessary services for any Medicaid-enrolled student, including mental health, vision and audiology care. Prevention: State health officials say COVID and other viruses are slowly increasing; the Red Cross is urging Vermonters to learn CPR and AED skills, noting that most cardiac arrests happen outside hospitals.

Hospital Care: Concerns are rising over UVM Medical Center cuts and their potential effect on vulnerable patients. Separately, support staff and technical professionals approved new contracts, averting a strike. Rural Health: Dartmouth Health is developing home-based primary and palliative care to address access gaps for rural patients, including in Vermont. The model aims to better support care at home. School Health: Vermont schools can now seek Medicaid reimbursement for medically necessary services for any Medicaid-enrolled student, with expanded coverage that includes mental health, vision and audiology care. Prevention: State health officials say COVID and other viruses are slowly increasing, while flu numbers remain low. The Red Cross is urging Vermonters to learn CPR and use an AED; prompt CPR can double or triple survival chances. Cleaner Heating: Vermonters can borrow free firewood moisture meters from 63 public libraries. Burning wood with 20% moisture or less produces less smoke and fine-particle pollution, which can harm health.

Primary Care Debate: Universal primary care is gaining traction in Vermont’s governor’s race, but candidates differ on what it means; Gov. Phil Scott backs a state study while rejecting a single-payer approach. Healthcare Costs: A watchdog reviewing UVM Health’s finances says affordability efforts must reach beyond hospitals, which account for just 43% of insurers’ medical claims. Care and Prevention: UVM Medical Center unions approved contracts, averting a strike, while state health officials report COVID and other viruses are slowly increasing; flu levels remain low. Women’s Health: A Burlington summit on Oct. 16 will bring more than 20 speakers together for conversations on wellbeing, including menopause care.