The bill amends Vermont's health information technology laws, particularly focusing on the Health Information Technology Plan and the Green Mountain Care Board's role. It designates the Department of Vermont Health Access, in collaboration with the Health Information Exchange Steering Committee, to coordinate the statewide Health Information Technology Plan, which will be revised annually and comprehensively updated every five years. Notably, the requirement for the Department to submit the proposed Plan to the Green Mountain Care Board for approval has been repealed, allowing for more flexibility in proposing updates. Additionally, a representative from the Green Mountain Care Board will now serve as a voting member of the Steering Committee. The bill also modifies the financial structure for the Board's expenses and introduces a streamlined certification process for Medicare-only accountable care organizations (ACOs).

Furthermore, the bill establishes new standards for reviewing and approving ACO budgets, removing the previous requirement for ACOs to have 10,000 or more attributed lives. It introduces criteria for budget review that emphasize fund efficacy, collaboration among providers, and public input. The Green Mountain Care Board is tasked with adopting rules for ACOs of varying sizes to ensure oversight while fostering innovation. The bill also allows the Office of the Health Care Advocate to access ACO budget review materials and participate in hearings, establishes new fees for ACO certification, and clarifies the Board's authority regarding budget enforcement. Certain provisions of the bill will take effect as early as January 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 18-9351, 18-9352, 18-9374(h), 18-9374, 18-9375, 18-9382, 18-9454, 18-9456, 18-9572, 18-9573
As Passed By the Senate -- Official: 18-9351, 18-9352, 18-9374(h), 18-9374, 18-9375, 18-9382, 18-9454, 18-9456, 18-9572, 18-9573
As Passed By the Senate -- Unofficial: 18-9351, 18-9352, 18-9374(h), 18-9374, 18-9375, 18-9382, 18-9454, 18-9456, 18-9572, 18-9573
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 18-9351, 18-9352, 18-9374(h), 18-9374, 18-9375, 18-9382, 18-9454, 18-9456, 18-9572, 18-9573
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 18-9351, 18-9352, 18-9374(h), 18-9374, 18-9375, 18-9382, 18-9454, 18-9456, 18-9572, 18-9573
As Enacted: 18-9351, 18-9352, 18-9374(h), 18-9374, 18-9375, 18-9382, 18-9454, 18-9456, 18-9572, 18-9573