VAHHS Update
VAHHS Update arrives every Monday to your inbox and shares our reflections, legislative updates, news from our members around the state, and upcoming educational opportunities. You can sign up for VAHHS Update at the link on the bottom of this page.
In the News
Half of America's rural hospitals are now operating in the financial red. According to a new report from healthcare consultancy Chartis, 50% of the nation's rural hospitals are now operating in the red. That number jumped from 43% last year.
Building accessible, affordable, quality health care for Vermonters is an overdue work in progress. Regardless of mixed results of past major reform efforts, Vermont’s goals to improve population health, advance health equity by reducing disparities in health outcomes and curb health care cost growth are possible.
Adults in central Vermont may wait months to see a primary care provider — and still they’re better off than people in many other regions. Local primary care clinics are scheduling new adult patients into late summer, autumn, and well beyond. Some are no longer adding names to their waitlists.
Friday night into Saturday morning culminated in two minor miracles: an aurora borealis and the adjournment of the legislative session.
Vermont legislators passed a bill to streamline insurance requirements for health care and are urging Gov. Phil Scott to sign the bill into law.
This January, lawmakers introduced two major pieces of legislation, both of which aimed to improve Vermonters’ ability to access health care.
Last week was National Nurses Week and my LinkedIn feed was flooded with celebrations and acknowledgments that included DAISY Awards and deep gratitude for caregivers across the country. It was such a boost all week to see the joy and pride on the faces of nurses nationwide and here in Vermont. I am fortunate to live with an incredibly talented 25-year veteran nurse, so I know very well the call to serve in this really challenging, but incredibly rewarding, profession.
This is it. The whole session has been a steady click, click, click of a rising car on a track. Now we’re over the apex and hurtling towards the end of the session. And, sure, sometimes that feels less like the wind in your face and more like sitting around waiting for your issue to happen, but what makes it a rush is that things can change in an instant.
Do you need your teeth cleaned? Good luck getting an appointment any time soon. A lack of dental hygienists means some practices are not taking new patients and some say the shortage is the worst they’ve ever seen.
Hospitals rely on skilled staff to care for patients, but at Rutland Regional Medical Center and many other hospitals, volunteers also play a critical role.
Hospital Updates
Half of America's rural hospitals are now operating in the financial red. According to a new report from healthcare consultancy Chartis, 50% of the nation's rural hospitals are now operating in the red. That number jumped from 43% last year.
Building accessible, affordable, quality health care for Vermonters is an overdue work in progress. Regardless of mixed results of past major reform efforts, Vermont’s goals to improve population health, advance health equity by reducing disparities in health outcomes and curb health care cost growth are possible.
Adults in central Vermont may wait months to see a primary care provider — and still they’re better off than people in many other regions. Local primary care clinics are scheduling new adult patients into late summer, autumn, and well beyond. Some are no longer adding names to their waitlists.
Friday night into Saturday morning culminated in two minor miracles: an aurora borealis and the adjournment of the legislative session.
Vermont legislators passed a bill to streamline insurance requirements for health care and are urging Gov. Phil Scott to sign the bill into law.
This January, lawmakers introduced two major pieces of legislation, both of which aimed to improve Vermonters’ ability to access health care.
Last week was National Nurses Week and my LinkedIn feed was flooded with celebrations and acknowledgments that included DAISY Awards and deep gratitude for caregivers across the country. It was such a boost all week to see the joy and pride on the faces of nurses nationwide and here in Vermont. I am fortunate to live with an incredibly talented 25-year veteran nurse, so I know very well the call to serve in this really challenging, but incredibly rewarding, profession.
This is it. The whole session has been a steady click, click, click of a rising car on a track. Now we’re over the apex and hurtling towards the end of the session. And, sure, sometimes that feels less like the wind in your face and more like sitting around waiting for your issue to happen, but what makes it a rush is that things can change in an instant.
Do you need your teeth cleaned? Good luck getting an appointment any time soon. A lack of dental hygienists means some practices are not taking new patients and some say the shortage is the worst they’ve ever seen.
Hospitals rely on skilled staff to care for patients, but at Rutland Regional Medical Center and many other hospitals, volunteers also play a critical role.