Vermont Department of Health

Discussions during the meeting focused on strengthening relationships between the Health Department (VDH) and the Committee, emphasizing professional engagement with VDH staff. The committee reviewed the structure and logistics of the EMS Education Council, which is a formal sub-group, with plans to formalize membership at the February meeting. The legislative report, which was submitted on time, prompted discussion regarding the need to clearly distinguish between personal expertise and committee consensus in future testimony, especially concerning paramedic deployment. Extensive discussion was held regarding data quality and interpretation limitations in system-level analysis; a motion was carried authorizing the chair to request the legislature amend the DEVA Ambulance Provider Tax Form for additional reporting elements. Financially, the committee approved a motion to contract again with MedOps for technical writing, project coordination, and analysis support, capping the contract at $100,000. The committee nominated and unanimously approved Drew Hazelton to continue as chair for calendar year 2026 and appointed Pat Malone as vice-chair. Future work includes designing a statewide EMS system, developing a budget review framework, and creating a five-year statewide plan, both due to the legislature by December 15, 2026. A motion was passed authorizing the purchase of a laptop computer and A/V equipment up to $5,000.

The meeting agenda covered several key areas including updates and announcements, a check-in on the RSO Certification Process, and an ongoing discussion regarding systems implementation strategies. Specific topics included feedback on surveys (ED Survey and Board Survey), an update on CCBHCs, and an introduction to tools for implementing change within organizations, such as policy ownership, training, and monitoring mechanisms. A preview was given for the April workflow discussion focusing on RDP documentation processes. A significant portion of the meeting involved the RSS Medicaid Budget Refinement, reviewing initial budget estimates based on FY25 data collection and outlining how updated data would inform a revised budget projection. Follow-up details on Recovery Coaching Data Collection were also discussed.

The agenda for the Vermont Board of Medical Practice meeting includes licensing committee business, public comment, administrative updates featuring 2025 licensing data presentation, and a convened hearing for stipulations or disciplinary matters, specifically concerning Ahsan A. Iftikhar MD. Other key discussions involve continued review of S.142 concerning licensure pathways for internationally trained physicians, the "test to treat" initiative authorizing pharmacists to prescribe medications based on on-site tests, and discussions on proposed legislation S.64 regarding the scope of practice for optometrists and S.163 regarding the role of advanced practice registered nurses in hospital care. The agenda also includes an overview of additional pending bills in the General Assembly and time allocated for an Executive Session to discuss investigative cases recommended for closure and other confidential matters.

This document outlines the PREVENT (Prehospital Vermont EMS Buprenorphine Treatment) program, a strategic initiative designed to address Vermont's severe overdose crisis. The plan focuses on implementing EMS-initiated buprenorphine administration in the field to stop withdrawal and cravings in high-risk patients, especially those who decline hospital transport. Key strategic pillars include connecting patients directly to peer recovery and treatment programs, scaling the program statewide through data-driven targeting, standardized training, and a collaborative learning model, and integrating it into existing EMS protocols. The initiative emphasizes investment in medical direction, statewide coordination, EMS training, and quality assurance to close critical treatment gaps and improve patient outcomes.

Key discussions during the meeting included administrative updates on the SRPS IT project timeline and ongoing Physician Assistant (PA) and Anesthesiologist Assistant (AA) license renewals, noting upcoming expiration dates. The Board also held a hearing to approve a Voluntary Limitation of Practice Agreement for Jeffrey E. Haddock MD. Other business involved a discussion and subsequent unanimous opposition to Senate Bill 142, which proposes a licensure pathway for internationally trained physicians, citing concerns over documentation validity and capacity for vetting. The Board also unanimously voted to oppose the change to exempt Vermont from CMS regulations requiring CRNAs to operate under physician supervision for anesthesia administration. Discussions on "test to treat" authorization for pharmacists and APRN Transition to Practice Requirements were also held. The Board convened in Executive Session to discuss investigative cases recommended for closure, subsequently voting to close several cases presented by the investigative committees.