Mike Faher

Sen. Ginny Lyons, chair of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, says H.57 is important because it would take effect much sooner than a proposed constitutional amendment supporting “reproductive autonomy.”

Fewer D-H referrals putting Mt. Ascutney budget in the red  Valley News

Northwestern Medical Center has two consecutive years of operating losses, but administrators are predicting at least a break-even fiscal 2019 in part due to expense reductions.

Drafted in response to potential changes at the federal level, the amendment affirms ‘an individual’s right to personal reproductive autonomy.’

An annual study says Grand Isle, Addison and Chittenden counties are among the healthiest areas in Vermont. Essex, Orleans, Windham and Bennington counties continue to be the least-healthy areas.

The legislation features a tax-based financial penalty for Vermont’s pending health insurance mandate, as well as a list of those who won’t have to comply with that mandate.

The Green Mountain Care Board is concerned over new numbers that show that eight of the state’s 14 medical hospitals posted operating losses in fiscal year 2018. The board also noted that operating margins have been declining for several years.

Officials say the regulatory violations, which include improper use of law enforcement and restraint, are not related to the hospital’s ongoing financial troubles.

It is the first pediatric flu death in the state since 2003. But overall, state and federal officials say this flu season is less severe than last season.

Financial, logistical issues delay mental health beds in Vermont prisons  Valley News

Corrections officials say they don’t have enough money to create 13 ‘therapeutic’ beds at two prisons, so they’re trying to come up with alternate plans.

Northwestern Medical Center wants state permission to undertake an emergency department project with a price tag of up to $6.5 million.

A pediatric critical care physician says padded crib bumpers “shouldn’t be sold at all” due to well-established risks of suffocation. Two other states prohibit the products.

One idea is to use ‘age rating’ to lower premiums for young people while allowing insurers to charge older customers more. Officials also are considering a new insurance products with lower fees paid to health care providers.

The state report also shows more than 10,000 discharges of mental health patients from emergency rooms in federal fiscal year 2018.

Corrections officials say they’ve made policy changes, but factors including an inmate’s length of stay can complicate a lengthy treatment regimen for the viral disease.

Nearly seven months after state law expanded medication-assisted treatment for inmate opioid addiction, corrections officials say almost a third of the state’s average prison population is getting help.

Rep. George Till said there are clear public health benefits to raising the legal smoking age from 18 to 21 and restricting the online sale of e-cigarettes.

NorthStar on Friday took ownership of the Vernon plant, marking the beginning of an accelerated decommissioning project. Entergy had owned the plant since 2002.

State officials are proposing a switch in the way Vermonters agree or don’t agree to allow their medical records to be shared in the health information exchange. Opponents worry about privacy and transparency.