Blog

In “normal” years, we publish a mid-session legislative report in March. We wait until two crucial milestones have been passed. First, the policy “crossover” deadline – the date by which policy bills need to be passed by the originating chamber to give time for consideration by the other. Second, usually…
Usually at this time of year, the Vermont legislature has adjourned until January and I’m in the process of writing a final legislative wrap-up. Instead, this week, the Vermont House is expected to pass a second SFY2020 budget adjustment to address the loss of state revenues caused by the COVID-19 public…
Incentive Pay for Frontline Employees (S. 346) The House Commerce and Economic Development Committee met last week to discuss S.346, a bill that establishes an essential employee grant program for frontline workers. As passed by the Senate, the grants would be provided to frontline employees earning…
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and PAs Can Now Order Home Health CMS has clarified the federal waiver allowing APRNs and PAs to order home health services because of the COVID-19 emergency. Combined with the CARES act, the change is permanent and will remain in place when the emergency is over.…
If you haven’t yet responded to the 2020 US Census, now’s the time: go to my2020census.gov. Responses to the 2020 Census shape decisions about how billions of dollars in federal funds flow into communities each year for the next 10 years for critical services. And Vermont is currently about 10 percentage…
Over the last several weeks it’s become clear we are entering a new phase of the COVID-19 emergency—a phase that will last for a year or more, probably until there is a vaccine. This phase will be less focused on preventing a surge of patients in hospitals (although we will remain vigilant) and more…
Below is a round-up of state action on COVID-19 since the last newsletter: The VNAs of Vermont has developed an issue brief for members on unemployment insurance and paid family leave, available on our updated COVID-19 Resource Page. Over the past two weeks, the health department has released several…
Below is a round-up of federal action on COVID-19 since the last newsletter: CMS has released payments to providers including home health and hospice agencies from the CARES Act Emergency Relief Fund. The announcement is available HERE. Providers must sign an attestation when they’ve received the…
Over the last two weeks, the VNAs of Vermont has been entirely focused on helping Vermont respond to COVID-19.  We helped launch a coalition of health care provider groups who are working closely together to obtain the state and regulatory flexibility providers need at this time. Our mutual goal is…
Town Meeting Day is feeling like a long time ago. Not even a week has passed since Vermonters voted – and showed tremendous support for the members of their communities served by local home health and hospice agencies. Thank you! But since Town Meeting Day, COVID-19, the disease caused by the 2019 novel…
In “normal” years, we publish a mid-session legislative report in March. We wait until two crucial milestones have been passed. First, the policy “crossover” deadline – the date by which policy bills need to be passed by the originating chamber to give time for consideration by the other. Second, usually…
Usually at this time of year, the Vermont legislature has adjourned until January and I’m in the process of writing a final legislative wrap-up. Instead, this week, the Vermont House is expected to pass a second SFY2020 budget adjustment to address the loss of state revenues caused by the COVID-19 public…
Incentive Pay for Frontline Employees (S. 346) The House Commerce and Economic Development Committee met last week to discuss S.346, a bill that establishes an essential employee grant program for frontline workers. As passed by the Senate, the grants would be provided to frontline employees earning…
Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and PAs Can Now Order Home Health CMS has clarified the federal waiver allowing APRNs and PAs to order home health services because of the COVID-19 emergency. Combined with the CARES act, the change is permanent and will remain in place when the emergency is over.…
If you haven’t yet responded to the 2020 US Census, now’s the time: go to my2020census.gov. Responses to the 2020 Census shape decisions about how billions of dollars in federal funds flow into communities each year for the next 10 years for critical services. And Vermont is currently about 10 percentage…
Over the last several weeks it’s become clear we are entering a new phase of the COVID-19 emergency—a phase that will last for a year or more, probably until there is a vaccine. This phase will be less focused on preventing a surge of patients in hospitals (although we will remain vigilant) and more…
Below is a round-up of state action on COVID-19 since the last newsletter: The VNAs of Vermont has developed an issue brief for members on unemployment insurance and paid family leave, available on our updated COVID-19 Resource Page. Over the past two weeks, the health department has released several…
Below is a round-up of federal action on COVID-19 since the last newsletter: CMS has released payments to providers including home health and hospice agencies from the CARES Act Emergency Relief Fund. The announcement is available HERE. Providers must sign an attestation when they’ve received the…
Over the last two weeks, the VNAs of Vermont has been entirely focused on helping Vermont respond to COVID-19.  We helped launch a coalition of health care provider groups who are working closely together to obtain the state and regulatory flexibility providers need at this time. Our mutual goal is…
Town Meeting Day is feeling like a long time ago. Not even a week has passed since Vermonters voted – and showed tremendous support for the members of their communities served by local home health and hospice agencies. Thank you! But since Town Meeting Day, COVID-19, the disease caused by the 2019 novel…
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