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Debate over who should review hospital service cuts — Green Mountain Care Board or AHS — dominates S.189 hearing
Summary
Witnesses and committee members debated an amendment to S.189 that would replace an AHS approval step with notice and public engagement; Green Mountain Care Board leaders argued system-level review is needed, while AHS said it cannot serve as both transformation partner and regulator.
The Senate Health & Welfare Committee spent substantial time on S.189 debating whether state-level review of proposed hospital service reductions should remain with the Agency of Human Services or be handled through notice and a public-engagement process followed by budget review by the Green Mountain Care Board.
An amendment circulated to the committee would require a hospital intending to reduce or eliminate a service to post notice, conduct at least one public hearing, compile public comments and notify the Green Mountain Care Board within five business days if it proceeds with the change so the board can review budget impacts and direct savings to payers or reinvestment in primary care or community services.
Owen Foster, chair of the Green Mountain Care…
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