[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6331255,"mediaKeyId","2312356-6787e698cf03df3c6d6b5c42bd7f5cf2","parentId",2312356,"title","Vermont Department of Health presents $11.2 million budget increase, seeks new vaccine and prevention funding","audioSeconds",3122,"startMs",21000,"endMs",3143000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2312356-6787e698cf03df3c6d6b5c42bd7f5cf2&start=21&end=3143","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2312356-6787e698cf03df3c6d6b5c42bd7f5cf2/thumbnail_21000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6331255/Vermont/Vermont-Department-of-Health-presents-112-million-budget-increase-seeks-new-vaccine-and-prevention-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6331255-16e891ee4c6b9fd56d3bd989a518415a/orig.mp4?Expires=1773683506&Signature=I5J-GNano1f0gSLXsd7YUnkvwJcn02CxMb4AGgglIRFzuLzYolS2isrww9GsYafRvIy8Qnr1YbPkS987Ag3Z1qMHZ~l83kW1lYWQv3GJs0s0mmw~LwFJPNMH5fvvnYv97aAgaAshKDG-2NWvjerOMCkxdHXRTLqf1P0mgnMpFGNqpD~nxzANrAvnMHzhjFTlunz-MLIiQBo1Aiqm64PPvNtD~tobZDaoOdo1ylcJeBr6W1viY-Y-QqZFJiQRFeNVqGupn9mninHe6iJwYnpqxUqt824s7X5LT8lgmijIjfxl-0p2ubPnRaVmWGcCakTe6WRZZHyOsfpsj29KcXvTXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-02-13T18:06:03Z","article","Mark Levine, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health, told the House Healthcare Committee on Feb. 13 that the governor's proposed budget increases the department's appropriation by $11.2 million, a 5.2% rise from the prior fiscal year, and includes about $6.5 million for new activities.

Levine said the Department of Health remains heavily federally funded and highlighted several specific changes: an increase in special-fund authority for the state vaccine purchasing program, $770,000 more in Global Commitment (Medicaid-related) funding for adult vaccine assessments, a $210,000 increase to the advanced directive registry (bringing that program to $435,000), and a proposed transfer of the Office of Health Equity into the department along with associated positions.

Why it matters: the Department of Health provides statewide public-health infrastructure — immunizations, lab surveillance, WIC and local district services — and shifts in funding sources and special-fund structures affect how those services are sustained and scaled across Vermont.

Levine described the state vaccine purchasing program as a long-standing, federally negotiated mechanism in which Vermont buys vaccines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and distributes them at no charge to providers for children and adults under age 65. He said the requested $1.8 million increase in special-fund spending authority largely reflects newly recommended vaccines and price changes, and that insurers are assessed to replenish the special fund.

“We are very, very much funded by the federal government,” Levine said, explaining that roughly 40% of the department’s budget comes from federal sources, with additional federal-related funding reflected in the state’s Global Commitment structure.

On Medicaid adult vaccines, the department proposes a $770,000 increase tied to per-member-per-month assessments for covered lives, Levine said. He emphasized that Medicare beneficiaries are not yet included in the state vaccine purchasing pool.

On other budget items, Levine said the Vermont Ethics Network’s contract to operate the advanced directive registry now requires additional state support because the American Living Will Registry reduced its customer-service contribution; the department requests an additional $210,000 for that contract, bringing the registry total to $435,000.

The budget shows a $1,050,000 reduction in a special fund line tied to opioid-abatement dollars previously used for syringe service programs; Levine said the legislature and governor plan to handle recommendations for that special fund in a separate bill to avoid double-counting in the department’s appropriation.

Levine also described an administrative reorganization: funding and positions for the Office of Health Equity are proposed to move into the Department of Health rather than remain in the Agency of Administration. He called that transfer a consensus process among involved offices and advisory groups.

Ending: Levine closed the department overview by reiterating that much of the department’s work — from local district vaccine clinics to laboratory surveillance — is shaped by federal funding patterns and by targeted state special funds. Several committee members asked follow-up questions about immunization rates, adult vaccine uptake and the mechanics of fund flows; Levine said the department will supply additional data on request.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","House Healthcare 2025-02-13 - 1:00 PM","oneSentenceSummary","Mark Levine, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health, told the House Healthcare Committee on Feb. 13 that the governor's proposed budget increases the department's appropriation by $11.2 million, a 5.2% rise from the prior fiscal year, and includes about $6.5 million for new activities.","taxTitle","Health Care, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative , Vermont","taxId",30956,"location","Vermont","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6331249,"Health Department pitches reengagement beds, navigators and recovery campus to shore up substance-use continuum",1707,1428000,3135000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2312356-6787e698cf03df3c6d6b5c42bd7f5cf2&start=1428&end=3135","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2312356-6787e698cf03df3c6d6b5c42bd7f5cf2/thumbnail_1428000.jpg","/articles/6331249/Vermont/Health-Department-pitches-reengagement-beds-navigators-and-recovery-campus-to-shore-up-substance-use-continuum","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6331249-d57d3d62dc75740f69749e4640daa9eb/orig.mp4?Expires=1773683506&Signature=LTerqGjpsb3uwvG4p0T7dGpp~VZR5soFMbHDwyaGnMt06BS60WxCeBC3cAcwGD~kLQvsK8l3aqwtptuKhugZ8GZlS6T1TpKVB92WFJCvgMCrh0iUpC66HTYCc1Dg2Z52bl6XuNA6SZnoFU8MSqGZpMyJNTCROLfdk33sRTDhW60xIyzpdwXDs8PxaK7P2q3STxmioYYKOZGNNEQ2ZLiw~Jf3w443qXL84~w19t1s8oHT4tQjaOw6v2oMd4~TzlU8Uoz94Yxilg67wekEfUedvmjqGWDRnXT2pyrhBB9uisJAW503wkQfXdS3Bhn4bsH4N0BfNrMHo2FL6IFPR~K2VA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mark Levine, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health, told the House Healthcare Committee on Feb. 13 that, while Vermont has a broad continuum of substance-use services, the state still has gaps in transitions of care that drive repeated crises for justice-involved and other people with substance-use disorder.

Levine said the department’s proposals focus on three areas: safe short-term reengagement or stabilization beds, navigators to support transitions from residential settings, and investment in recovery supports and recovery housing. He described the hub-and-spoke outpatient system and residential treatment as existing strengths but said more capacity is needed at certain transition points.

Why it matters: gaps at transition points — when people leave jail, emergency departments or residential treatment — can produce rapid relapse or recidivism. The department pitched targeted investments that would create short-term placements and navigation supports intended to reduce those failures and smooth movement through treatment and recovery.

Levine described “PIP” or public inebriate beds as low‑acuity spaces meant for people who are clinically stable after an ED visit and need a safe place to sober. He said many such beds were underused and staffing could not be sustained, prompting closures. The department proposes reopening some closed beds and expanding coverage to regions that lacked access, aligning staffing with mental‑health crisis beds to reduce the need for separate 24/7 staffing.

“Many of our EMS are now gaining the competency to be able to administer that first dose as well,” Levine said when describing emergency‑department initiation of medication for opioid use disorder and improved linkage to care.

On the treatment-to-recovery transition, Levine said the department proposes navigator positions that would be granted to residential facilities to help clients secure housing, benefits and other life‑skills supports; he said those navigator grants are not ongoing state employee positions but grant-funded roles placed in provider organizations. He also described a recovery‑campus model, informed by a recent request for information, that pairs recovery housing with workforce and life‑skills services and would move to an RFP if the budget is approved.

Levine discussed harm‑reduction services including syringe service programs, fentanyl-test strips and overdose‑prevention guidance; he noted an overdose prevention center slated for Burlington will require local siting and provider arrangements and that the health department has issued guidance and expectations for such a site.

Ending: Levine said the proposals are intended to shore up system gaps rather than replace existing inpatient or outpatient capacity, and that several elements — particularly siting of overdose‑prevention services and grant implementation — will require local providers and additional administrative steps after any budget approval.","Mark Levine, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health, told the House Healthcare Committee on Feb. 13 that, while Vermont has a broad continuum of substance-use services, the state still has gaps in transitions of care that drive repeated crises.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6331244,"Lawmakers press Health Department on PFAS and PCBs in schools; remediation funding sits with ANR",2439,801000,3240000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2312356-6787e698cf03df3c6d6b5c42bd7f5cf2&start=801&end=3240","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2312356-6787e698cf03df3c6d6b5c42bd7f5cf2/thumbnail_801000.jpg","/articles/6331244/Vermont/Lawmakers-press-Health-Department-on-PFAS-and-PCBs-in-schools-remediation-funding-sits-with-ANR","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6331244-36a24dce90ba363065a199c36c65812b/orig.mp4?Expires=1773683506&Signature=k0-sSoyUHG8PtW6N7VD8dPkVtMGMlAtQtkKCGVR-jJB-X8SE-ofIQUj-QN~dmReslZGofDUpcK6-KgBuQLsCNcOvGFenVjZfaVGPJAA~GzD00ZKpjip5Cj0pHx7fzi1YZ-F5h3TecSyDpB~St8II7SHdF3I9a9b8QZmD9ikEyBgKXBfmBrfKUAJWrl2-brx6yE5E6LSP8RADhrZ9J1eWdeETHbLRnzrY9Fso816PV8A6sFf3eSUuOa5pCoXOxLGg9lXyyH8sIluw3OEsp0CmkSMp62RSPFEmU-3o34ncBnOORX7jaSweb1z4Gnu1HasLCV2Z6inbThWTx6M6cgMgRQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Mark Levine, commissioner of the Vermont Department of Health, told the House Healthcare Committee on Feb. 13 that environmental‑health work — including school drinking‑water testing, lead prevention and testing for PCBs and PFAS — is a department priority but that much of the remediation funding and capital work sits in the Agency of Natural Resources (ANR).

Why it matters: parents, school staff and local officials face remediation or mitigation bills when testing identifies contaminants. One committee member said Bellows Falls Union High School had a $3 million remediation estimate; Levine directed that questions about distribution of capital funds and remediation costs be addressed to ANR, while noting the health department helps set action levels and provides testing guidance.

Levine said the department has participated in statewide PCB testing of school air and PFAS testing in affected areas and described the state approach of an action‑level framework (a “school action level” versus an “immediate action level”) designed to allow mitigation while keeping schools open when feasible. He acknowledged that final human‑health thresholds are scientifically complex and said federal guidance from the Environmental Protection Agency has been in flux; he noted the state has worked to set levels it believes are protective and workable for schools.

“We're hoping that we actually went through the schools that had the highest risk,” Levine said, adding that the department cannot guarantee every high‑risk site was identified but that the goal was to prioritize the highest‑risk schools.

Committee members asked whether the department’s budget included funds for remediation; Levine replied most remediation funds are in ANR’s budget and that an earlier legislative pause on diagnostic work runs through 2027. He said the department will continue to supply technical guidance and assess risks but that capital remediation funding and distribution questions should be directed to ANR’s appropriations.

Ending: Committee members pressed for clarity on thresholds and how large remediation bills will be distributed; Levine said the department would continue to provide technical guidance and that ANR holds the primary appropriation for capital remediation work.","Committee members asked Commissioner Mark Levine about testing, thresholds and remediation for PCBs and PFAS in schools. Levine said much of the remediation funding is in the Agency of Natural Resources' budget, that the Health Department plays a testing and guidance role, and that diagnostic testing timelines have been paused through 2027.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Vermont Department of Health presents $11.2 million budget increase, seeks new vaccine and prevention funding

Health Department pitches reengagement beds, navigators and recovery campus to shore up substance-use continuum

Lawmakers press Health Department on PFAS and PCBs in schools; remediation funding sits with ANR