In July 2024, the social services agency of the Vermont secretary announced that the State had been selected For a new model of federal health care reform.
The model of approaches and development in health action in all payers, or to comewould result in more dollars in health insurance, leads federal funding for primary care practices and would change the way medical care is paid, with the aim of reducing costs and improving the overall health of residents.
But while the newly installed administration of President Donald Trump embarks on a wide effort to cut the waist of the federal government – starting with the elimination of diversity, equity and inclusion programs – the future of the future is now in question.
At the end of last month, federal officials working with the Vermont on the Avired model interrupted communications and canceled meetings with state officials linked to the model, according to the e-mails obtained by VTDIGGER.
“(The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation) received a communication taking associated with the transition of leadership in the new administration which extends to all state partners,” a member of federal staff wrote to the State Agency for Social Services on January 27. “To comply, we will hold all emails, programmed reports, and to suppress all the scheduled meetings between February 7 and 7. This is an appointment and can lift an appointment and lift an appointment and later. We will inform you more when we do it.
State officials said they had not received more information since the use of communications.
According to state officials, several federal health care reform employees who worked with the Vermont to prepare for the model in advance were also released in the midst of a great reduction in the federal government, according to state officials.
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So what will become of them?
“We do not know,” said Brendan Krause, director of the Vermont health care reform at the Social Services Agency, in an interview. “It is not very satisfactory, but it is almost the answer that you probably get everyone when it comes to federal programs. Our job is to continue working as if it was going ahead. »»
Krause said that these communications are not uncommon in the midst of work quarters in presidential administrations. He said he couldn’t say whether large -scale federal job losses are standard.
Sarah Rosenblum, assistant director of the health care reform, said that Vermont officials had been informed that communications maintenance would last until Mehmet Oz, doctor and television host hit by Trump to direct the centers of Medicaid and Medicare Services, were sworn.
In a press release sent by email, a spokesperson for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said that the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation examines all its health care reform models to ensure that they effectively improve the health of the population and effectively use taxpayers’ dollars.
In the midst of uncertainty, the officials of the Vermont, the legislators and the defenders are confronted with the possibility that the advances do not occur at all – and considering adapting.
“It is difficult for me to understand a world in which a payments reform plan that has the word” equity “in its title will live in the future,” said last week in Mike Fisher, the main defender of health care of Vermont.
Senator Ginny Lyons, D-Chittenden Southeast, president of this committee, said in an interview that she was “very concerned” by the prospect that advances would no longer take place.
But legislators plan to continue working to improve the state health care system with or without the program, said Lyons.
She pointed out to a Bill recently published in its committee which, in its current form, would make important modifications to the way in the way vermonters pay for health care – including the implementation of Price based on referenceA program that limits the quantity of health care providers can charge for services by fixing their prices at Medicare prices.
“We look forward to it, but, you know, we have to keep the course,” she said. “We cannot stop to death in our footsteps.”