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Committee advances H.80 language; vote held pending full roll call
Summary
The Health & Welfare Committee reviewed a clean draft of H.80 (office of the health care advocate), agreed to language clarifying provider cooperation with the Office of the Health Care Advocate and consent for records, and took a preliminary vote that the clerk said would be completed once absent members were reached.
The Senate Health & Welfare Committee reviewed a clean draft of H.80, legislation concerning the Office of the Health Care Advocate, during its April 3 meeting and took a preliminary procedural vote while awaiting absent senators’ ballots.
Jen Kirby of the Legislative Counsel’s Office presented draft 1.2, a clean version of changes the committee discussed at an earlier markup. Kirby said the primary edits clarify two items: (1) in the certificate‑of‑need process, prior language that allowed certain offices to question Green Mountain Care Board staff was narrowed and renumbered; and (2) health‑care providers and insurers “shall cooperate” with the Office of the Health Care Advocate by providing records and information when an individual or that person’s guardian or legal representative has authorized the office to act on the individual’s behalf. The draft explicitly permits providers or insurers to require written consent rather than only oral authorization.
Kirby also described language adjusting the statute that calls for agencies to seek input from the Office of the Health Care Advocate. The change in draft 1.2 expresses legislative intent that agencies seek the office’s input when developing or revising significant state policy affecting health‑care access and affordability so “Vermonters’ perspectives are heard and considered through the voice of their independent advocate.”
A motion to pass H.80 as drafted was made and the clerk began collecting votes. The roll call recorded three yes votes at the time the committee recessed to reach absent members; staff said the committee would hold the recorded action until the remaining members could be polled.
What’s next: The committee held the vote pending a full roll call from absent senators; staff indicated the committee will post the final vote once all members have been contacted.
