Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Health Care topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Independent medical practices urge fair reimbursement, CON reform and workforce supports
Summary
Susan Ridson of Vermont Health First told the House Health Care Committee that independent, physician-owned practices deliver lower-cost, high-quality care but face shrinking reimbursements, workforce recruitment challenges tied to loan-forgiveness rules and burdensome certificate-of-need processes that disadvantage smaller providers.
Susan Ridson, executive director of Vermont Health First, told the House Health Care Committee on Jan. 15, 2025, that independent physician‑owned practices provide high‑quality care at lower cost but face an uneven playing field and worsening reimbursement pressures.
“Independent practices provide very high quality care, at a lower cost,” Ridson said, summarizing the association’s case for policy changes to preserve independent practice options. She said the network represents 61–62 practices across 11 counties, including primary care and specialists, and that independent practices often cannot access the same supplemental funding that hospital‑owned or federally qualified centers receive.
Ridson urged lawmakers to consider inflationary adjustments to fee schedules, concerted loan‑repayment and recruitment supports, and reforms to certificate‑of‑need rules that she said make it difficult for clinician‑led groups to open ambulatory surgery or imaging centers. She said independent practices also lose recruiting advantage because Department of Education loan‑forgiveness eligibility for service employers excludes many independent practices.
Ridson asked the committee to consider policies that level reimbursement and reduce administrative burden so independent practices can remain viable and competitive for workforce and patients.
Why it matters: Independent practices are a significant part of Vermont’s care network. Ridson warned that losing these options could reduce patient choice, worsen access and increase system fragility, particularly in specialties and rural areas.
