Presenter: 2018 analysis shows primary care accounted for about 6–10% of Vermont health spending; lawmakers press on targets and implementation

A legislative committee reviewing S.197 heard a presentation on a Green Mountain Care Board report that measured primary care spending using 2018 all‑payer claims and non‑claims data. Alina Barabby, identified in the transcript as director of policy at Dreamman Care Board, told members the analysis — prepared under Act 17 of 2019 and done jointly with D.VA — found primary care accounted for between 5.9% and 10.2% of total health care spending in 2018. "That report found that between 5.9 and 10.2% of healthcare spending is on primary care," Barabby said.

Committee members pressed Barabby on the report's definitions and methods. The Vermont definition used in the analysis included family medicine, internal medicine, general practice, pediatrics, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, naturopaths, OB/GYNs and osteopaths and covered services such as office visits, preventive care, care management, mental health and substance‑use treatment. Barabby said identifying clinicians by claims is imperfect: "there isn't a great way to…