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House Appropriations hears Department of Vermont Health Access budget pitch; DEVA seeks staffing, system funds and contract changes
Summary
At a Feb. 4 House Appropriations hearing, the Department of Vermont Health Access (DEVA) outlined its FY2027 budget, requesting 12 eligibility‑unit positions tied to federal HR 1 changes, ~$5M in one‑time IT/system costs, $2M for provider stabilization and proposing several contract and policy changes including ending a legal aid Medicare‑advocacy contract and raising prescription co‑pays.
The Vermont House Appropriations Committee on Feb. 4 heard a detailed FY2027 budget presentation from the Department of Vermont Health Access (DEVA), which requested new staff to handle federal HR 1 eligibility changes, one‑time system funding and targeted support for struggling providers.
DEVA presented its budget request and strategic priorities to the committee, with Deshaun Burrows (identified in testimony as "Deshaun Burrows, feedback commissioner") telling lawmakers the agency had conducted an internal "priorities refresh" focused on provider network adequacy, population health and operational modernization. "Our kind of 4 priorities this year were around housing, mental health, and substance use, the, health care in terms of affordability, quality, and sustainability," Burrows said during opening remarks.
Why it matters: federal changes driven by HR 1 will alter eligibility processes and require new systems and staff to meet more frequent renewals and other rules. DEVA estimates about a 30% increase in eligibility‑unit workload and asked for 12 new positions to implement the changes on schedule.
What DEVA asked for and why - Staffing: DEVA asked for 12 positions tied to HR 1 implementation. Deputy…
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