VermontHospitals must explain plans to end certain services
Hospitals considering ending emergency, primary, maternity, or inpatient mental health care must explain their plans to state officials and hear from the public before proceeding.
What it does
Hospitals considering ending certain services must explain their reasons, costs, and alternatives to state officials. If they proceed after consultation, they must notify the public and hold at least one hearing.
When a hospital proceeds with ending a listed service, the Board must review the effect on its approved budget and adjust it as needed. Savings may be reflected in premiums or reinvested in community care.
Argument forEarly review and public input could help hospitals find ways to keep important care available or plan a clearer transition.
Argument againstPublic hearings and comment responses could take time and staff effort from hospitals already working through difficult service decisions.
More detail
Hospitals considering ending a listed service must first notify state health officials and explain why, compare the financial effects, and describe alternatives they considered. If they continue after consultation, they must give public notice and hold at least one hearing. This process applies when a hospital is considering eliminating a service listed in the act. Hospitals may choose to use consultation for other services. The listed services include emergency department, primary care, obstetrics, and inpatient psychiatric services. A hospital considering another service may choose to consult with the Agency and the Board. The preliminary process and consultations are confidential. After public engagement, a hospital that proceeds with ending a listed service must notify the Agency and the Board.
After a hospital notifies the state that it will end a listed service, the Board must review the effect on the hospital’s approved budget and make adjustments as needed. This applies when a hospital proceeds with ending a service listed in the act. Adjustments may direct savings from ending the service to be reflected in health insurance premiums or reinvested in primary care, prevention, or other community-based services. The review follows the hospital’s notice that it is going forward with ending the service.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 29Senate Message: Signed by Governor Phil Scott June 16, 2026Latest
- May 29Signed by Governor Phil Scott on June 16, 2026Became Law
- May 29Delivered to Governor on June 10, 2026To Governor
- May 20Senate Message: House proposal of amendment concurred inMinor
- May 19Title amended
- May 19As passed by Senate and HouseMajor
- May 19House proposal of amendment concurred inMinor
- May 19House proposal of amendment; textMinor
- May 19Unfinished Business/House Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 15New Business/House Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 14House proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 14Entered on Notice Calendar
- May 14House message: House passed bill in concurrence with proposal(s) of amendment
- May 12Read third time and passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentPassed 2nd Chamber
- May 12Action Calendar: Third ReadingMinor
- May 8Third Reading orderedMinor
- May 8Report of Committee on Health Care agreed to
- May 8Rep. Demar of Enosburgh reported for the Committee on Health Care
- May 8Read second timeMinor
- May 8Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- May 7Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Mar 20Read first time and referred to the Committee on Health CareMinor
- Mar 18Title amended as recommended by Committee on Health and Welfare
- Mar 18Read 3rd time & passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Mar 18New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 173rd reading ordered
- Mar 17Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare agreed to
- Mar 17Reported favorably by Senator Lyons for Committee on Health and Welfare with recommendation of amendmentMinor
- Mar 17Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Mar 17New Business/Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 13Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Mar 13Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 13Entered on Notice Calendar
- Jan 6Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and WelfareIntroduced
HealthcareEmergency ManagementMental Health