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

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…