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Representative Cortes outlines package: CON thresholds, transaction oversight, doulas, MAID scope and stronger advocate access to data
Summary
Representative Cortes presented a package: raise certificate-of-need thresholds (H96); require oversight of health-entity transactions (H71); permit naturopathic doctors to authorize medical aid-in-dying and COLST/DNR (H75); expand data access for the Office of the Health Care Advocate (H80); and create certification for community doulas (H79).
Representative Cortes presented a set of bills addressing oversight, transactions and workforce in Vermont’s health system.
H96 would raise monetary thresholds that trigger the state’s certificate-of-need (CON) review, a change sponsors say would reduce regulatory burden for smaller projects and help new entrants such as freestanding birth centers. Cortes said stakeholders including hospitals and private providers participated in drafting the bill.
H71 is a longer measure that would establish state oversight of healthcare institution transactions and require review by the Green Mountain Care Board and enforcement authority for the Attorney General. Cortes said the bill is aimed at preventing potential harms when private-equity firms buy distressed hospitals or long-term care facilities and then change ownership or use in ways that could reduce local access to care.
H75 would expand existing medical aid-in-dying and COLST/DNR authority to permit naturopathic physicians (in addition to physicians, nurse practitioners and physician assistants) to perform certain authorization functions. Cortes said Vermont’s naturopathic doctors provide primary care in some communities and that the bill aligns authority with providers’ roles.
H80 would amend the Office of the Health Care Advocate’s access to information so the office can obtain timely data and documents it needs to represent consumers effectively, while preserving confidentiality protections for patient and proprietary information.
H79 would create a certification pathway for community-based perinatal doulas through the Office of Professional Regulation, adopting certification rather than full licensure and aiming to standardize training and protect vulnerable birthing populations.
Cortes emphasized the bills address current fiscal and access pressures in Vermont health care and said the committee will have time to examine technical detail and stakeholder testimony. No votes were taken.
