2004 Legislative Report

For the week ending January 7, 2005

Political Overview

Ceremonial activities dominated this week as newly elected members of the House and Senate returned to Montpelier to kick off a new biennium. Governor Douglas, the state’s Constitutional officers and the members of the General Assembly were sworn into office and Governor Douglas gave his inaugural address. The Governor’s speech stressed fiscal responsibility and the unsustainable rates of increases in different areas of the budget, including Medicaid. The Governor asked that the General Assembly, when considering spending pressures, that we "save Medicaid first." (Governor’s Inaugural speech attached)

As expected, Rep. Gaye Symington, D-Jericho, unanimously won her first term as House Speaker. Speaker Symington is the second woman to be chosen as Vermont House Speaker. The House leadership includes: Symington as Speaker, Carolyn Partridge – Windham as majority leader, and Floyd Nease – Lamoille as assistant majority leader. On the Republican side, Rick Hube – Londonderry will serve as minority leader and David Sunderland – Rutland will serve as assistant minority leader.

On the Senate side, Peter Welch, D - Windsor, will serve as president pro tempore. John Campbell, D-Windsor, will serve as first lieutenant to Senator Welch. Vince Illuzzi, R - Essex-Orleans, will serve as the minority leader. Presiding over the Senate will be Republican Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie.

Senator Welch responded to the Governor’s Inaugural speech on behalf of the Democrats yesterday afternoon (see attached article for details). Welch stressed that legislators are all here to work together – the House, the Senate, democrats, republicans, progressives, independents and the Governor. Welch stated that the problems we are facing have been intensified by the Federal government and that they are no longer our ally, but our adversary.

Senator Welch outlined three challenges the Democrats see this session for health care:

1. The $70 million deficit in our Medicaid program, largely inflicted by federal reimbursement cuts – 65 cents to 58.5.

2. The continuing and unconscionable explosion in prescription drug costs.

3. Addressing the fragmentation of our health care delivery system and the fee for service payment system that every year causes us to spend more but get less.

Committee assignments in both the House and the Senate were released Friday. Of particular significance to hospitals are the two House health committees (Committee on Human Services and Committee on Health Care) and the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. Sen. Jim Leddy, retired executive director of the Howard Center for Human Services, will chair the Senate Health & Welfare committee, while Rep. Ann Pugh, D-Chittenden, will chair the House Human Services committee and Rep. John Tracy, D-Chittenden, will chair the Health Care committee. As stated before the Committee on Human Services will focus on matters relating to human services, public health and social and economic security. The Committee on Health Care will focus on matters relating to health care finance and administration.

No key health care bills were introduced this week. However, numerous bills are being drafted.

Budget issues are always a priority for VAHHS and the looming budget deficit in the Vermont Medicaid program will take priority. The Executive and Legislative branches have both stated this. More details will be available when Governor Douglas delivers his budget address to the General Assembly on Wednesday, January 19 at 2 p.m.

Below is the list of key committees of interest. To view all committee assignments please follow the two links: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/legdir/comms.cfm?Body=H and http://www.leg.state.vt.us/legdir/comms.cfm?Body=S.

HOUSE COMMITTEES

COMMITTEE ON HEALTH CARE (Room 45)

Representative John Tracy of Burlington, Chair
Representative Malcolm Severance of Colchester, Vice-Chair
Representative Janet Ancel of Calais
Representative Joe Baker of West Rutland
Representative Harry Chen of Mendon
Representative Bill Keogh of Burlington
Representative Lucy Leriche of Hardwick
Representative Chris Louras of Rutland City
Representative Steven Maier of Middlebury
Representative Francis “Topper” McFaun of Barre Town
Representative Virginia Milkey of Brattleboro

COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES (Room 46)
Representative Ann Pugh of South Burlington, Chair
Representative Mike Fisher of Lincoln, Vice-Chair
Representative Anne Donahue of Northfield
Representative William Frank of Jericho
Representative Patsy French of Randolph
Representative Steve Green of Berlin
Representative Sandy Haas of Rochester
Representative Tom Koch of Barre Town
Representative Clint Martin of Springfield
Representative Norman McAllister of Highgate
Representative Kathrine “Renn” Niquette of Colchester

COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS (Room 42)

Representative Martha Heath of Westford, Chair
Representative Richard Marron of Stowe, Vice-Chair
Representative Don Bostic of St. Johnsbury
Representative Robert Helm of Castleton
Representative Peter Hunt of Essex
Representative Mark Larson of Burlington
Representative Alice Miller of Shaftsbury
Representative Harry Monti of Barre City
Representative Alice Nitka of Ludlow
Representative Patty O'Donnell of Vernon
Representative Albert Perry of Richford

SENATE COMMITTEES

COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS (Room 5, P.M.)
Senator Susan Bartlett of Lamoille District, Chair
Senator Jane Kitchel of Caledonia District, Vice-Chair
Senator Matt Dunne of Windsor District
Senator Vincent Illuzzi of Essex-Orleans District
Senator Hinda Miller of Chittenden District
Senator Richard Sears of Bennington District
Senator Diane Snelling of Chittenden District

COMMITTEE ON FINANCE (Room 6, P.M.)

Senator Ann Cummings of Washington District, Chair
Senator Peter Welch of Windsor District, Vice-Chair
Senator Claire Ayer of Addison District
Senator Roderick Gander of Windham District
Senator Mark MacDonald of Orange District
Senator Hull Maynard of Rutland District
Senator Mark Shepard of Bennington District

COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & WELFARE (Room 17, P.M.)

Senator James Leddy of Chittenden District, Chair
Senator Jeannette White of Windham District, Vice-Chair
Senator Edward Flanagan of Chittenden District
Senator Sara Branon Kittell of Franklin District
Senator Virginia Lyons of Chittenden District
Senator Kevin Mullin of Rutland District