WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

H 184

An act relating to establishing a community health center pilot program

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Elizabeth Burrows and 4 co-sponsors

Establishes a pilot program to create community health centers in Vermont to improve access to comprehensive, integrated primary and behavioral health services in underserved areas

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Human Services
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 184

Summary of H 184 (2025-2026) – Vermont

Purpose and intent

  • Establishes a pilot program to create community health centers within Vermont.
  • Aims to improve access to primary care, behavioral health, preventive services, and coordinated care for Vermont residents, particularly in underserved or underserved-within-community areas.

Key provisions and changes

  • Pilot program framework

    • Creates a structured pilot to implement one or more community health centers for a defined initial period (pilot duration to be specified by the bill or subsequent regulations).
    • Board or designated agency oversight to plan, implement, and monitor the pilot.

  • Scope of services

    • Primary care and preventive services.
    • Behavioral health services integrated with primary care.
    • Potentially ancillary services (e.g., dental, nutrition, social supports) as defined by the legislation or via program rules.
    • Emphasis on care coordination, chronic disease management, and outreach to underserved populations.

  • Location and access

    • Criteria for choosing pilot sites to maximize access in designated underserved or high-need areas.
    • May include mobile or satellite service options to reach rural communities.

  • Funding and administration

    • Establishes funding mechanisms (state budget appropriation, grants, or other public funding sources) to support startup and ongoing operations.
    • Sets eligibility for centers to receive funds and requirements for use (e.g., meeting quality, access, and reporting standards).

  • Standards and accountability

    • Minimum clinical standards, data reporting, patient outcomes metrics, and performance indicators.
    • Obligations for participants in the pilot to report on access metrics, patient satisfaction, and health outcomes.
    • Provisions for evaluation and potential scale-up or expansion based on pilot results.

  • Coordination with existing systems

    • Encourages alignment with Vermont’s Medicaid program, Medicare, private payers, and existing community health initiatives.
    • May require data sharing and interoperability with state health information systems, while protecting patient privacy.

  • Workforce considerations

    • Supports recruitment and retention of a multidisciplinary team (e.g., physicians, nurse practitioners, behavioral health specialists, social workers).
    • May include incentives or training components to bolster local workforce capacity.

Who would be affected

  • Residents

    • Individuals in focus areas identified by the pilot could gain improved access to comprehensive, integrated health services.
    • Potential reduction in barriers to care, such as travel distance, appointment wait times, and cost.

  • Health care providers and centers

    • Entities designated or funded to operate community health centers under the pilot.
    • Possible collaboration with local clinics, hospitals, and community organizations.

  • State agencies and the health system

    • State Department or equivalent agency administering the program, reporting to the legislature.
    • Coordination with Medicaid, public health, and human services programs.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Introduction and referral

    • Bill introduced and read for the first time; referred to the Committee on Human Services (as of 2025-02-11).

  • Next steps (typical)

    • Committee hearings, stakeholder input, potential amendments.
    • Committee consideration, house vote, and eventual passage to the senate (timeline not specified in available information).

  • Sunset and evaluation

    • Pilot programs typically include an evaluation plan with a sunset clause or renewal mechanism to determine scalability or permanent adoption.

Notes

  • The bill has several co-sponsors: Brian Cina, Saudia Lamont, Anne Donahue, Kevin Christie, and Elizabeth Burrows.
  • As of the provided action history, the bill has only completed its first reading and referral to the Human Services Committee; details on specific funding levels, site selection criteria, and performance metrics would be clarified in committee amendments and eventual text.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to focus on specific stakeholders (patients, providers, or policymakers) or compare it to existing Vermont health center initiatives.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.