The bill H.320 aims to stabilize Vermont's rural hospitals and improve access to healthcare services by placing a moratorium on certain recommendations from a consultants report until July 1, 2026. Specifically, the Green Mountain Care Board is prohibited from implementing recommendations that would limit commercial subsidization for hospital financial shortfalls, restrict licensing of hospital-based outpatient units, initiate reference-based pricing, and require uniform accounting practices among hospitals. However, the Board is directed to pursue other recommendations, such as simplifying the certificate of need process and encouraging the establishment of freestanding diagnostic and surgical centers. Additionally, the Board is tasked with collecting data from Vermont hospitals to establish goals for hospital system transformation.

The bill also includes provisions for expanding health insurance options in Vermont by directing the Department of Vermont Health Access and the Department of Financial Regulation to explore opportunities for increasing the number of health insurers on the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange. Furthermore, the Area Health Education Centers program is instructed to develop a plan for placing medical students in rural hospitals to bolster the physician workforce in these areas. Lastly, the Green Mountain Care Board is required to create recommendations for compensating hospitals for the costs associated with patients awaiting transfer to other facilities. The act is set to take effect upon passage.