Bill S.126 aims to reform Vermont's health care payment and delivery system with a focus on enhancing health outcomes, quality of care, and access to services. Key provisions include the introduction of reference-based pricing, which sets hospital payment amounts based on Medicare reimbursement rates, and the establishment of global hospital budgets by 2030. The legislation mandates the Board to oversee these reforms, ensuring that payment methodologies align with cost containment and quality care goals. Additionally, hospitals are required to provide detailed information on their staffing and financial operations to facilitate oversight and compliance with the Statewide Health Care Delivery Plan.

The bill also creates a Health Care Delivery Advisory Committee to evaluate the health care system and establish affordability benchmarks. It mandates the Agency of Human Services to develop an integrated Statewide Health Care Delivery Plan that identifies gaps in care and reduces administrative burdens. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the integration of health care data, requiring collaboration with the Health Information Exchange Steering Committee to create a comprehensive system that combines clinical and claims data. Health insurers must provide necessary data for this integration, and both the Agency and the Green Mountain Care Board are tasked with reporting on their implementation efforts and the impact of these initiatives on Vermont's health care system by specified deadlines.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 18-9375, 18-9376, 18-9454, 18-9456, 18-9418c, 18-9374, 3-3027, 18-9375(d)
As Passed By the Senate -- Official: 18-9375, 18-9376, 18-9454, 18-9456, 18-9418c, 18-9374, 3-3027, 18-9375(d)
As Passed By the Senate -- Unofficial: 18-9375, 18-9376, 18-9454, 18-9456, 18-9418c, 18-9374, 3-3027, 18-9375(d)