The bill seeks to overhaul Vermont's health care system by implementing structural changes aimed at improving health outcomes, access to services, and care quality. It establishes key goals such as integrating care systems, stabilizing health care providers, and introducing standardized accountability metrics. A significant provision is the introduction of reference-based pricing for health care services, which will set maximum payment amounts for hospitals and potentially extend to non-hospital services. The Green Mountain Care Board will oversee these pricing strategies, ensuring alignment with Medicare rates, while also mandating hospitals to submit standardized budget data for review based on community health needs and federal compliance.

Additionally, the bill creates a Health Care Delivery Advisory Committee to monitor the system's performance against affordability benchmarks and health outcomes. It directs the Agency of Human Services to develop a Statewide Health Care Delivery Strategic Plan, which will be updated every three years to address access disparities and promote integrated care. The legislation also establishes a Vermont Steering Committee for Comprehensive Primary Health Care and an Advisory Committee to enhance primary care services, alongside the creation of a Unified Health Data Space to improve data sharing among providers. To support these initiatives, the bill allocates $2,200,000 for various health care projects and authorizes the Agency to grant funds to hospitals participating in cost-reduction and access-expansion efforts, including telehealth services.

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)
As Enacted: 18-9375, 18-9376, 18-9451, 18-9454, 18-9456, 18-9418c, 18-9374, 3-3027, 18-9375(d)