House adopts conference report on S.126 to reshape Vermont health‑care payment and delivery

The Vermont House adopted the committee of conference report on Senate Bill 126, an act concerning health‑care payment and delivery reform, and the House moved to message its action to the Senate.

The member from Essex, presenting the conference agreement, said the bill creates reference‑based pricing intended to reallocate resources toward needed services and reduce high commercial premiums. The report directs the Green Mountain Care Board, the Department of Financial Regulation and the Agency of Human Services to coordinate on hospital budgets, provider‑payer contracts and transparency for state‑level oversight.

Key elements described on the floor include: establishment of reference‑based pricing; a statewide health resource plan to inform budgeting and planning; a primary care steering committee intended to elevate primary care’s role in state spending and planning; and provisions for integration of clinical and claims data to create a unified health data space. The presenter said global hospital budgets will be phased in beginning in 2028 and completed by 2030 after reference‑based pricing is established, to provide predictability for hospitals and payers.

The conference committee made adjustments to committee membership and reporting dates so AHS could align multiple reports. The presenter said the committee unanimously approved the report and urged the body’s support. On the floor, a member asked why certain equity‑focused seats were moved to a consultative role; the presenter explained the committee reduced overall size to maintain quorum and added consultative roles for some stakeholders.

The House adopted the report and then approved a motion to message the action to the Senate forthwith.