Legislative Wrap-up

BILL	STATUS	VAHHS POSITION
H. 12, introduced by Representatives Knox and Weiss of Northfield, this bill proposes to require that a patient receive essential information regarding electroconvulsive therapy to assure that the patient has given informed consent prior to receiving treatment.	House Health & Welfare Committee. Postponed action until January 2000. The Department of Mental Health is working with Fletcher Allen Health Care and the Brattleboro Retreat.	Opposed. VAHHS feels that the professionals and the Department of Mental Health should resolve the informed consent protocol.
H. 15, introduced by Representative Bristol of Brattleboro, this bill proposes to create the crimes of simple assault and aggravated assault on emergency medical personnel.	House Judiciary Committee.	No position.
H. 39, introduced by Representative Keenan of St. Albans along with a dozen others, this bill proposes to enact three computer crimes: 1) access to computer for fraudulent purposes, 2) intentional access, alteration, damage or destruction, and 3) computer theft. (Companion bill to S. 38)	Passed House and Senate. Awaiting Governor's signature.	Support.
H. 53, introduced by Representatives Howrigan of Fairfield and Steele of Waterbury, this bill proposes to clarify and update property tax exemptions; to repeal the automatic exemption from municipal property tax for public, pious and charitable property and instead allow towns to vote such exemptions; to change certain exemptions for college and university property; and to increase the veterans’ property tax exemption to a uniform $20,000.	House Ways & Means Committee. Summer study committee.	Opposed. To define a hospital for tax purposes in a fast changing environment is not possible. We must use the existing definitions in case law for best result.
H. 63, introduced by Representative Koch of Barre Town, this bill proposes to consolidate and strengthen the privacy and confidentiality safeguards for individually identifiable health care information and to clarify the rights and responsibilities of those individuals and entities that create or have a legitimate need to access that information for health care, public health or legitimate business purposes.	House Judiciary Committee. Judiciary Chair is on the record that the committee will take up this bill in January.	Support. VAHHS supports the concept with modifications. Filed a joint letter to House Health &Welfare outlining concerns. Issues raised by the letter filed in Health & Welfare were not taken up and will be issues for the Judiciary Committee.
H. 89, introduced by Representatives Alfano of Calais and Pugh of South Burlington, this bill proposes to direct the division of health care administration to simplify the administration of health insurance for doctors, hospitals, patients, and others by requiring the use of standard forms and procedures for health insurance claims, provider reimbursement and credentialing, and other standard administrative forms and procedures.	House Health & Welfare Committee. This bill has been tabled while BISHCA works to create a simple billing and credentialing uniformity process.	Support. BISHCA will announce a proposal on credentialing in July.
H. 90, introduced by Representative Alfano of Calais, this bill proposes to authorize a study on the feasibility of authorizing bulk purchasing of prescription drugs by the State of Vermont.	House Health & Welfare Committee. Summer study committee.	Support. VAHHS supports making prescription drugs available and affordable for Medicare and Medicaid eligibles.
H. 103, introduced by Representatives Partridge of Windham and Weiss of Northfield, this bill proposes to require employers and workers' compensation insurers to establish direct reimbursement procedures for coverage of medically necessary prescription medications for the chronic conditions of injured employees, and to authorize awards of reasonable attorneys fees incurred in connection with activities necessary to secure reimbursement for the cost of medical benefits authorized by law.	Passed House & Senate.	No position.
H. 104, introduced by Representative Partridge of Windham along with a dozen others, this bill proposes to require health insurance plans to provide coverage for women's health care needs, including coverage of reproductive health care and contraception, infertility diagnosis and treatment, osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment, breast reconstruction, inpatient care following childbirth or mastectomy, and clinic dispensary services, and to prohibit discrimination against victims of domestic abuse.	House Health & Welfare Committee.	Opposed. This is a mandate and we are on record opposing more mandates.
H. 112, introduced by Representative Kreitzer of Rutland City, this bill proposes to repeal the sunset on certain powers related to the medical practice board and to authorize the secretary of state to appoint, and after consultation with the board, dismiss the board's executive director.	Enacted Law.	Support.
H. 128, introduced by Representative Voyer of Morristown with half a dozen others, this bill proposes to establish a procedure whereby a person who is convicted of a sexual offense can be compelled to submit to testing for HIV upon the request of the victim. Victims of a sexual offense would be provided with access to testing for HIV and sexually transmitted diseases as well as counseling and support services.	House Judiciary Committee.	No position.
H. 135, introduced by Representatives Osman of Plainfield, Alfano of Calais and Vincent of Waterbury, this bill proposes to limit hours that a medical student intern may work during a week. (limit of 15 hour shifts for emergency room doctors)	House General, Housing & Military Affairs Committee.	Opposed.
H. 144, introduced by Representative Parizo of Essex, this bill proposes to regulate the practice of hypnotherapy.	House Government Operations Committee.	No position.
H. 151, introduced by Representatives Valsangiacomo of Barre City and Blanchard of Essex, this bill proposes to establish standards and procedures for the approval of premium increases for Medicare supplemental health insurance policies.	House Health & Welfare Committee.	No position.
H. 166, introduced by Representatives Mallary of Brookfield, Poirier of Barre City and Steele of Waterbury, this bill proposes to reimburse health care facilities for Medicaid services at rates based on their reasonable costs for such services, and to reimburse health care providers for Medicaid services at rates that are no less than 75 percent of the usual and customary rate for such services.	House Health & Welfare Committee.	Support.
H. 187, introduced by Representatives Vinton of Colchester and Emmons of Springfield, this bill proposes to extend the practice of podiatry to include a portion of the lower leg.	Passed House. Senate Health & Welfare Committee.	No position.
H. 191, introduced by Representatives Alfano of Calais and Woodward of Johnson, this bill proposes to require health insurance companies to provide enrolled individuals access to all health care providers, so long as the treatment is within the provider's scope of practice.	House Health &Welfare Committee.	Opposed.
H. 193, introduced by Representatives Poirier of Barre City, Pugh of South Burlington, this bill proposes to require that manufacturers of pharmaceuticals offer the same discount to all purchasers.	House Health &Welfare Committee. Summer study committee.	Opposed. Unitary pricing will not guarantee lower prices for consumers.
H. 198, introduced by Representatives Poirier of Barre City and half a dozen others, this bill proposes to expand the VScript program to provide maintenance prescription drug benefits to seniors and disabled Vermonters with income under 250 percent of the federal poverty level, and to extend "wrap-around" coverage of pharmaceutical and other Vermont health access plan benefits to Medicare-eligible Vermonters whose incomes meet Vermont health access plan income eligibility requirements.	House Appropriations Committee. Passed as part of Appropriations bill.	Support.
H. 213, introduced by Representatives Koch of Barre Town and Lippert of Hinesburg, and dozens of others, this bill proposes to provide a homestead exemption in connection with the recovery of Medicaid expenditures against an estate.	House Appropriations Committee.	No position.
H. 215, introduced by Representatives Steele of Waterbury and Paquin of Fairfax, this bill proposes to provide additional support to home and community-based services for the elderly and disabled Vermonters so that adequate services are available for Vermonters to choose as alternatives to nursing home placement.	House Health &Welfare Committee. Passed as part of Appropriations bill adding $200,000.	The bill has been referred to the VAHHS Continuing Care Committee.
H. 219, introduced by Representative Sweaney of Windsor along with half a dozen others, this bill proposes to amend the method for determining Medicaid reimbursement rates for nursing homes that are physically attached to a hospital.	House Appropriations Committee. Became part of the Appropria- tions Act.	Support.
H. 226, introduced by Representatives Ginevan of Middlebury and Nuovo of Middlebury along with half a dozen others, this bill proposes to increase wages of direct care staff at nursing homes, to require the state to make Medicaid reimbursements at rates that are adequate to meet the costs incurred by efficiently and economically operated nursing homes, to require public notice and hearing before the secretary of human services sets nursing rates, and to require that the costs of providing care to all residents in a nursing home be included in calculating Medicaid reimbursement rates.	House Health & Welfare Committee. Bill died in committee. Additional dollars by increasing the provider tax were added to the Medicaid budget for labor related costs.	Support.
H. 262, introduced by Representative Steele of Waterbury, this bill proposes to direct the commissioner of aging and disabilities to conduct a study of the impact of Act 160 on elderly and disabled Vermonters in need of long-term care services.	House Health &Welfare Committee.	This bill has been referred to the VAHHS Continuing Care Committee.
H. 276, introduced by Representative Poirier of Barre City along with half a dozen others, this bill proposed to repeal the law relating to tobacco manufacturers' liability for Medicaid expenditures.	House Judiciary Committee.	Opposed.
H. 278, introduced by Representative Freed of Dorset along with half a dozen others, this bill proposes to create a medical negligence compensation procedure to be administered by a medical negligence compensation board.	House Judiciary Committee.	Opposed.
H. 303, introduced by Representatives Holmes of Bethel, LaBarge of Grande Isle, Mazur of South Burlington and Richardson of Weathersfield, this bill proposes to allow health insurers to offer broader discounts from the community rate to individuals and members of small groups, and to permit discounts for those who have chosen healthy lifestyles.	House Health & Welfare Committee.	No position.
H. 310, introduced by the Committee on Health & Welfare, this bill proposes to:1) Establish the tobacco litigation settlement fund and direct that all of the annual receipts from the settlement between the tobacco industry and the State be deposited into the fund;2) Direct that 1/3 of receipts from the settlement be deposited into the endowment for a tobacco free Vermont to build a permanent endowment for tobacco cessation and prevention programs;3) Create the Vermont tobacco control fund to support programs and activities designed to free Vermonters from the addiction of tobacco, and to prevent future tobacco addiction, and to appropriate funds in FY2000 and 2001 to the Vermont tobacco control board to support tobacco cessation and prevention programs;4) Expand the Vscript program to provide maintenance prescription drug benefits to seniors and disabled Vermonters with income under 250 percent of the federal poverty level, and extend "wrap-around" coverage of pharmaceutical and other Vermont health access plan benefits to Medicare-eligible Vermonters whose incomes meet Vermont health access plan income eligibility requirements; and 5)Appropriate funds in FY 2000 to support health clinics for the uninsured and the tobacco liti- gation and control activities of the attorney general.	House Appropriations Committee. Many features of this bill are included in the Appropriations Act.	Support.
H. 313, introduced by Representatives Buckland of Newport Town and Poirier of Barre City, this bill proposes to incorporate the occupational disease law into the workers' compensation statute.	House Commerce Committee.	No position.
H. 350, introduced by Representatives Mazur of South Burlington, Keenan of St. Albans City, Kreitzer of Rutland City, Moore of Rutland City, Vincent of Waterbury and Young of Orwell, this bill proposes to grant an income tax credit for Year 2000 programming and equipment upgrade expenses.	House Ways & Means Committee.	No position.
H. 351, introduced by Representative Milkey of Brattleboro along with dozens of others, this bill proposes to require health insurance plans to provide coverage of chiropractic services. (Comp. bill to S.161)	Enacted Law.	Opposed. VAHHS is opposed to mandates.
H. 355, introduced by Representative Young of Orwell along with a dozen others, this bill proposes to require nonprofit corporations receiving funds from the state to file complete financial reports on a biennial basis.	House Commerce Committee.	Opposed. Hospitals already are required to file financial reports to BISHCA.
H. 361, introduced by Representative Poirier of Barre City, this bill proposes to authorize the creation of the legislative joint health care committee. (Companion bill to S.147)	Passed House. Senate Health & Welfare Committee.	Opposed.
H. 362, introduced by Representative Poirier of Barre City, this bill proposes to authorize the office of health care ombudsman to administer a single health care ombudsman program for all public and private health insurance plans.	Passed House. Senate Health & Welfare Committee.	Opposed.
H. 363, introduced by the Committee on Ways and Means, this bill proposes to adjust certain executive branch fees. Provider tax is included in this bill.	Passed House. Became part of the tax cut bill.	Support with amendment to sunset now in bill. VAHHS continues to ask for sunset of the tax.
H. 365, introduced by Representatives Alfano of Calais, Osman of Plainfield and Pugh of South Burlington, this bill proposes to create the Vermont prescription drug pricing and consumer protection program for the purpose of lowering the price of prescription drugs for Vermonters and allowing the state to negotiate, on behalf of Vermonters, maximum prices for prescription drugs sold at wholesale in Vermont.	Passed House and Senate. Summer study committee.	Opposed.
H. 371, introduced by Representative Metzger of Milton along with dozens of others, this bill proposes to create a state registry for incidents of Gulf War Syndrome.	House General, Housing & Military Affairs Committee.	No position.
H. 372, introduced by Representatives Pugh of South Burlington, Dunne of Hartland and Kitzmiller of Montpelier, this bill proposes to require health insurance plans to provide coverage for the patient cost to a member of a clinical trial of treatment for cancer or other life-threatening condition.	House Health & Welfare Committee.	Opposed. VAHHS is opposed to mandates.
H. 392, introduced by Representative Paquin of Fairfax, this bill proposes to expand the Vermont health access plan by allowing low income Vermonters with income less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level and their employers to participate in the plan, and to extend "wrap-around" coverage of pharmaceutical and other Vermont health access plan benefits to Medicare-eligible Vermonters whose incomes meet Vermont health access plan income eligibility requirements.	House Health & Welfare Committee.	No position.
H. 409, introduced by Representative Pugh of South Burlington, this bill proposes to require health insurance plans to offer a point-of-service pan, so that enrollees can have an option to choose their health care provider.	House Health & Welfare Committee.	Opposed. Market should determine need.
H. 419, introduced by Representatives Keenan of St. Albans and Milkey of Brattleboro, this bill proposes to require that nonprofit hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, health maintenance organizations, and hospitals be established and maintained as nonprofit health care entities, unless the commissioner of banking, insurance, securities, and health care administration approves a conversion after finding the transaction will promote the public good of the state.	House Commerce Committee.	Opposed. VAHHS is opposed to the bill as drafted. Working with BISHCA on new draft that would leave hospital status as now covered under existing law.
H. 420, introduced by Representatives Keenan of St. Albans and Milkey of Brattleboro, this bill proposes to make miscellaneous amendments to Vermont's health insurance laws, including amendments to the laws relating to the prior approval of health insurance forms and premiums, small group health insurance policies and community rating, the health insurance safety net, coverage of newborn and adopted children, solvency standards for health maintenance organizations offering Medicare managed care plans, and long-term care insurance.	Passed House. Senate Finance Committee.	Support the PSN section.
H. 438, introduced by Representative Milkey of Brattleboro, this bill proposes to fund, through the Independence Fund, programs that promote successful aging.	House Health & Welfare Committee.	No position.
H. 440, introduced by Representative Lippert of Hinesburg along with half a dozen others, this bill proposes to amend the definition of drug paraphernalia so that needles may be provided to intravenous drug in order to curtail the spread of HIV and to encourage treatment.	Passed House & Senate. Awaiting Governor's signature.	No position.
H. 441, introduced by Representative Hingtgen of Burlington along with half a dozen others, this bill proposes to authorize the creation f the Vermont prescription drug universal coverage trust, providing universal access to prescription drug coverage for all Vermonters with the intention of guaranteeing that every Vermont resident will receive all medically necessary prescription drug products and services offered by the pharmacist of each resident’s choice, replacing the current mixture of public and private health care prescription drugs coverage with a uniform and comprehensive prescription drug plan available to every Vermont resident, replacing redundant private and public bureaucracies required to support the current system with a single administrative and payment mechanism for covered prescription drug services, and using administrative and other savings to expand covered prescription drug cost increases, and creating provider incentives to innovate and compete by improving prescription drug service quality and delivery to patients.	House Health & Welfare Committee. Summer study committee.	Support. VAHHS supports making prescription drugs available and affordable for Medicare and Medicaid eligibles.
H. 443, introduced by Representatives Bouricius, Corren, Hingtgen and Zuckerman of Burlington, and Kreitzer of Rutland City, this bill proposes to require that employers provide work breaks for their employees.	House General, Housing & Military Affairs Committee.	No position.
H. 445, introduced by Representative Lippert of Hinesburg, this bill proposes to establish standards and procedures for the appointment of a receiver in the event that a nursing home or residential care facility is closing without orderly plans for transfer of residents, or that an emergency exists threatening the health, security or welfare of residents, or that the facility is in substantial violation of health, safety or resident care standards, and to amend Vermont’s laws prohibiting abuse, neglect and exploitation of elderly and disabled adults.	House Health & Welfare Committee.	This bill has been referred to the VAHHS Continuing Care Committee.
H. 448, introduced by Representative Steele of Waterbury, this bill proposes to more clearly define the jurisdiction of the legislative health access oversight committee.	House Health & Welfare Committee.	No position.
H. 449, introduced by Representative Steele of Waterbury, this bill proposes to require the commissioner of banking, insurance, securities and health care administration to adopt rules ensuring fair notice to consumers of the terms of any annuity contract, including any penalties for early withdrawal.	House Commerce Committee.	No position.
H. 450, introduced by Representative Sheltra of Derby along with dozens of others, this bill proposes to require that at least one parent, a guardian or a conservator of an unemancipated minor, receive written notice at least 48 hours before an abortion is performed on the minor, except if the abortion is to be performed to prevent the minor's death. (companion bill to S. 173)	House Health & Welfare Committee.	No position.
H. 451, introduced by Representatives Pugh of South Burlington, Lippert of Hinesburg and Westman of Cambridge, this bill proposes to require the department of health to develop, implement and evaluate a uniform, statewide HIV case reporting system that utilizes a unique identifier reporting system.	Enacted Law.	No position.
H. 455, introduced by Representatives Pugh of South Burlington, Poirier of Barre City and Alfano of Calais, this bill proposes to create a cause of action for consumers in the event that they are harmed by the negligence of a health insurer or managed care entity. (Companion bill to S. 105)	House Health & Welfare Committee.	No position.
H. 462, introduced by Representatives Bouricious, Corren, Hingtgen and Zuckerman of Burlington, this bill proposes to require that an employer who offers employment benefits to full-time employees offer those same benefits, prorated, to all other employees who work at least ten hours a week.	House General, Housing & Military Affairs Committee.	Opposed.
H. 464, introduced by Representatives Bouricius and Corren of Burlington, this bill proposes to transfer to the department of labor and industry two positions. Two employees will provide assistance to employee groups desiring to unionize.	House General, Housing & Military Affairs Committee.	Opposed.
H. 470, introduced by Representatives Holmes of Bethel and Mazur of Burlington, this bill proposes to require the commissioner of banking, insurance, securities, and health care administration to conduct evaluations of mandated health insurance benefits.	House Health & Welfare Committee.	Support. The public and legislature need to understand the cost impact of mandates on providers and health premiums.
H. 474, introduced by Representative Milkey of Brattleboro along with a dozen others, this bill proposes to protect consumers of assistive devices from fraud and defective products and to provide lessees of durable medical devices with a purchase option.	House Commerce Committee.	No position.
H. 492, introduced by Representatives Sheltra of Derby, DePoy of Rutland City, Gray of Barre Town, Helm of Castleton and Holmes of Bethel, this bill proposes to prohibit partial-birth abortions after the 20th week or pregnancy.	House Health & Welfare Committee.	No position.
H. 493, introduced by Representatives Corren, Sullivan and Zuckerman of Burlington, this bill proposes to allow a patient who is expected to die within a year to end his or her life in a humane and dignified manner by prescription medication.	House Health & Welfare Committee.	Opposed.
H. 494, introduced by Representatives Corren of Burlington and Pugh of South Burlington, this bill proposes to permit the reasonable videotaping of births by any person who is authorized to be present in the delivery room. The bill also directs the department of health to adopt rules that establish reasonable conditions for the implementation of this act.	House Health & Welfare Committee.	Opposed. Hospitals allow the practice of videotaping births and do not need regulation to establish this right.
H. 496, introduced by Representatives Corren and Sullivan of Burlington, this bill proposes to prohibit smoking within 100 feet of the entrance of any building that houses a primary or secondary school, a day care center or a medical facility.	House Health & Welfare Committee.	Support.
H. 508, introduced by Representatives Sheltra of Derby, Pike of Mendon and Richardson of Weathersfield, this bill would appropriate $700,000 of general funds in fiscal year 2000 to the division of emergency management to provide assistance to municipalities to help provide emergency planning and shelter capabilities enhancement relating to the year 2000.	House Government Operations Committee.	No position.
H. 515, introduced by Representatives Alfano of Calais, Jordan of Middlesex and Tracy of Burlington, this bill proposes initiatives to improve the quality and economic circumstances of low income and working Vermont families. These initiatives include wage and employment benefit enhancements; access to quality child care; increasing affordable housing and transportation access; increasing community-based services for the elderly and disabled.	House General, Housing & Military Affairs Committee.	No position.
H. 518, introduced by Representative Sheltra of Derby, this bill proposes to require that a person charged with a sexual offense be tested for HIV.	House Judiciary Committee.	No position.
H. 526, introduced by Representatives Bouricius, Corren, Hingtgen and Zuckerman of Burlington, this bill proposes to make the hiring of permanent replacement workers during a legal strike an unfair labor practice.	House, General, Housing & Military Affairs Committee.	Opposed.
H. 532, introduced by the Committee on Government Operations, this bill proposes to make adjustments to various laws affecting professions attached to the office of professional regulation.	Passed House and Senate.	Support.
H. 543, introduced by the Committee on Government Operations, this bill proposes that payment rates for Medicaid services provided to Vermonters in the Vermont veterans' home be determined retrospectively and to authorize the state to include an indemnification clause in any contract for the management of the Vermont veterans' home.	Enacted Law.	No position.
H. 547, introduced by the Committee on Education, this bill proposes to encourage school districts to apply for Medicaid reimbursement for all eligible special education students; stipulates that local school districts shall receive a percentage of special education Medicaid reimbursement funds equal to the percentage of special education costs not paid for by the state; establishes that the agency of human services and the department of education shall annually receive funds for early childhood services; and creates a committee to study how to improve provisions of early childhood services.	House Appropriations Committee. Became part of the Appropriations Act.	No position. Concerned about further dilution of Medicaid money.
S. 38, introduced by Senators Sears of Bennington County, Shumlin of Windham County and Spaulding of Washington County, this bill proposes to enact three computer crimes: 1) access to computer for fraudulent purposes, 2) intentional access, alteration, damage or destruction, and 3) computer theft. (Companion bill to H. 39)	Senate Judiciary Committee. Summer study committee.	No position.
S. 47, introduced by Senators Ankeney of Chittenden County, Kittell of Franklin County and Munt of Chittenden County, this bill proposes to establish a commission on Alzheimer's disease and related disorders.	Passed Senate and House.	Support.
S. 54, introduced by Senators Riehle of Chittenden County and Illuzzi of Essex-Orleans County, this bill proposes to consolidate and strengthen the privacy and confidentiality safeguards for individually identifiable health care information and to clarify the rights and responsibilities of those who must handle health care information and records regarding access, use and storage of that information.	Senate Health & Welfare Committee.	Support. VAHHS supports with modification.
S. 63, introduced by Senator Crowley of Rutland County, this bill proposes to require only dentists, lawyers, medical doctors, and accountants to incorporate under Vermont's professional corporation statute.	Senate Finance Committee.	No position.
S. 71, introduced by Senator Rivers of Windsor County, this bill proposes to require notification of Medicare supplemental insurance premium increases or change in benefits to the department of aging and disabilities only when the increase or change in benefits exceeds $500,000, to adopt additional standards of review of such premium increases by the commissioner of banking, insurance, securities, and health care administration to seek the recommendation of the public oversight commission in connection with such increases, and to permit public access to nonproprietary information in connection with such increases.	Passed Senate and House.	No position.
S. 88, introduced by Senator Rivers of Windsor County along with a dozen others, this bill proposes to create the Vermont prescription drug pricing and consumer protection program for the purpose of lowering the price of prescription drugs for Vermonters and allowing the state to negotiate, on behalf of Vermonters, maximum prices for prescription drugs sold at wholesale in Vermont.	Senate Health & Welfare Committee.	Support. VAHHS supports making prescription drugs available and affordable (companion bill to H. 90)
S 101, introduced by Senator Leddy of Chittenden County, this bill proposes to clarify that the commissioner of the department of developmental and mental health services does not have to be a psychiatrist and it also proposes to dissolve the board of mental health and create a developmental services standing committee.	Senate Health & Welfare Committee.	No position.
S. 105, introduced by Senators Illuzzi of Essex-Orleans County, MacDonald of Orange County, Rivers of Windsor County, Sears of Bennington County, and Shumlin of Windham County, this bill proposes to create a cause of action for consumers in the event that they are harmed by the negligence of a health insurer or managed care entity. (companion bill to H.455)	Passed Senate. House Judiciary Committee.	No position.
S. 122, introduced by Senators McCormack of Windsor County, Munt of Chittenden County, and Ptashnik of Windsor County, this bill proposes to limit the liability of health care providers who provide free health care services.	Senate Judiciary Committee.	Support.
S. 132, introduced by Senators Shumlin of Windham County, Backus, Leddy and Munt of Chittenden County, this bill proposes to establish a study committee to make recommendations on pharmacological treatment programs for opiate addiction in Vermont.	Senate Health & Welfare Committee.	Support.
S. 135, introduced by Senator Ptashnik of Windsor County and a dozen others, this bill proposes to expand the VScript program to provide maintenance prescription drug benefits to seniors and disabled Vermonters with income under 250 percent of the federal poverty level, and to extend "wrap-around" coverage of pharmaceutical and other Vermont health access plan benefits to Medicare-eligible Vermonters whose incomes meet Vermont health access plan income eligibility requirements.	Senate Health & Welfare Committee. Summer study committee.	Support.
S. 136, introduced by Senator Bahre of Addison County, this bill proposes to repeal the laws requiring health insurers selling small group and individual health insurance policies to participate in a reinsurance risk pool.	Senate Health & Welfare Committee.	No position.
S. 143, introduced by Senators Backus of Chittenden County, Illuzzi of Essex-Orleans County, Munt of Chittenden County, and Rivers of Windsor County, this bill proposes to establish a program within the office of health access to offer health insurance for unemployed Vermonters who are eligible for health insurance under the Vermont Health Access Plan.	Senate Health & Welfare Committee.	Opposed. With-out adequate provider payments the state should not expand coverage.
S. 147, introduced by Senators Backus of Chittenden County, Munt of Chittenden County and Rivers of Windsor County, this bill proposes to create the joint health care committee. (Companion bill to H.361)	Senate Health & Welfare Committee.	Opposed.
S. 148, introduced by Senator Backus of Chittenden County, this bill proposes to direct the department of taxes and the department of banking, insurance, securities, and health care administration to collect data concerning Vermonters' health care coverage, and to require as a condition of claiming certain economic development tax credits and exemptions that the taxpayer agrees to abide by the laws of this state regulating health insurance companies, notwithstanding the provisions of the federal Employee Retirement Income Security Act.	Senate Finance Committee.	No position.
S. 153, introduced by Senators Riehle of Chittenden County, Bahre of Addison County, Chard of Windham County, Kittell of Franklin County, Munt of Chittenden County, Ready of Addison County and Shumlin of Windham, this bill proposes to require the commissioner of banking, insurance, securities, and health care administration to prepare a report on the social and financial impact of any health insurance mandate bill introduced into the Vermont general assembly.	Senate Health & Welfare Committee.	Support. The legislature and public need to understand the impact of mandates on providers and health care premiums.
S. 161, introduced by Senator Bartlett of Lamoille County along with a dozen others, this bill proposes to require health insurance plans to provide coverage of chiropractic services. (companion bill to H.351)	Enacted Law with passage of H. 351.	Opposed. VAHHS is opposed to mandates.
S. 167, introduced by Senator Bloomer, this bill proposes to prohibit suits against the state and municipalities based on incorrect computer dates.	Senate Judiciary Committee.	No position.
S. 172, introduced by Senator Backus of Chittenden County, this bill proposes to direct the state of Vermont to offer a health benefit plan to low income child care providers.	Senate Health & Welfare Committee.	No position.
S. 173, introduced by Senators Bahre of Addison County, Canns of Calendonia County, Greenwood of Essex-Orleans County and Illuzzi of Essex-Orleans County, this bill proposes to require that at least one parent, a guardian or a conservator of an unemancipated minor receive written notice	Senate Health & Welfare Committee.	No position.
S. 184, introduced by Senators Shumlin of Windham County, Bloomer of Rutland County, Chard of Windham County, Leddy and Riehle of Chittenden County, this bill proposes to: 1) amend the Vermont health access plan so that increased income will not automatically render a low income beneficiary ineligible for the plan; 2) expand access to the pharmaceutical assistance program by providing elderly and disabled Vermonters with coverage for extraordinary prescription drug expenses; 3) provide funding for both community-based and nursing facility long-term care services in accordance with the policies of Act 160 of the 1996 Session of the General Assembly; 4) provide tax credits for individuals and families with qualified long-term care expenses; and 5) create a successful aging initiative that makes grants of start-up seed financing for community-based programs designed to promote healthy lifestyles for Vermont elders.	Senate Appropriations Committee. Items 2 and 3 are part of the Appropriations Act.	Support. Support the planning aspects of the bill and use sections of the bills to insert amendments related to necessary community-based services, like transportation. Actively support a true collaborative planning process.
S. 187, introduced by Senators Maynard of Rutland County and Bahre of Addison County, this bill proposes to permit the employer, not the employee, to determine whether other accrued paid leave may be used for short-term family leave.	Senate General, Housing & Military Affairs Committee.	No position