Bill S.126 aims to reform Vermont's health care payment and delivery system by establishing a comprehensive framework for transformation. The legislation focuses on improving health outcomes, enhancing care coordination, stabilizing health care providers, controlling costs, and attracting high-quality professionals. Key provisions include the implementation of reference-based pricing to set maximum payment amounts for services and the establishment of global hospital budgets to manage costs effectively. The bill also enhances the duties of the Green Mountain Care Board, requiring it to set reasonable rates for health care professionals and ensure equitable access to services, while mandating hospitals to submit standardized budget data for better comparison across the system.

Additionally, the bill creates two key committees: the Health Care Delivery Advisory Committee and the Vermont Steering Committee for Comprehensive Primary Health Care, both aimed at improving health care delivery and access. The Agency of Human Services is tasked with developing a Unified Health Data Space to enhance data sharing among providers and is required to report on the integration of health care data and spending reductions. The legislation emphasizes stakeholder collaboration and mandates the identification of specific outcome measures to assess the effectiveness of transformation efforts, including reducing inefficiencies and improving access to essential services. Significant funding is appropriated for health care transformation initiatives, including grants to hospitals for collaborative efforts to reduce costs and enhance access, particularly through telehealth.

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)
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Official: 18-9375, 18-9376, 18-9454, 18-9456, 18-9418c, 18-9374, 3-3027, 18-9375(d), 18-9451
As Passed by Both House and Senate -- Unofficial: 18-9375, 18-9376, 18-9451, 18-9454, 18-9456, 18-9418c, 18-9374, 3-3027, 18-9375(d)