Thursday, January 19, 2012 at 01:36PM The man charged with developing Vermont’s health care reform effort, Dr William Hsiao of Harvard University, presented his report to the state Legislature today. He outlined three options and of those recommended a hybrid single-payer system that would offer a government-mandated, essential benefit package managed by a private entity and include an oversight board.
Monday, January 9, 2012 at 01:37PM New data from the Vermont Department of Mental Health appear to add fuel to the fire of criticism that several drugs widely used with the mentally ill raise the risk of diabetes in those patients.
Thursday, June 2, 2011 at 10:07AM Gov. Peter Shumlin recently signed "Nick's Law" — legislation meant to prevent the kinds of drunk-driving accidents that claimed 18-year old Nick Fournier's life in 2007.
Link to full articleThursday, April 21, 2011 at 01:56PM John Perry, who retired last year as director of planning for the Vermont Department of Corrections, says sending hard-core drug addicts directly to treatment instead of prison could save the state’s taxpayers roughly $4 million a year.
Link to full articleThursday, February 17, 2011 at 03:59PM If there was any doubt that Gov. Peter Shumlin was serious about making Vermont the first state in the nation to adopt a single-payer health care system, the bill his administration presented to lawmakers this week should to put to rest any questions about his determination to plow ahead into uncharted territory.
Link to full articleThursday, February 17, 2011 at 03:58PM Several local police departments say the number of thefts from cars took a considerable jump over the past year. And they say it's not because of the economy, but because of a rise in prescription drug use.
Link to full articleFriday, January 21, 2011 at 04:39PM Vermont’s recent ranking as the healthiest state in the country might be cause for celebration, but on closer inspection, that distinction isn’t quite as wonderful as it looks.
Link to full articleFriday, January 21, 2011 at 04:16PM The Avon Breast Health Outreach Program has awarded a $40,000 grant for 2011 to Gifford Medical Center to increase awareness of the life-saving benefits of early detection of breast cancer. The Avon Breast Health Outreach supports community-based, non-profit breast health programs across the country and is part of the Avon Foundation for Women, the largest corporate philanthropy dedicated to women’s causes globally.
Link to full articleThursday, January 20, 2011 at 01:16PM A much anticipated report recommends the implementation of a single payer health care system in Vermont in 2015. The report says the system will save hundreds of millions of dollars that can be used to expand access to all Vermonters.
Link to full articleWednesday, December 22, 2010 at 09:13AM Organizers of Rutland's Gift of Life Marathon are celebrating. As VPR's Nina Keck reports - the blood drive shattered Boston's one day record and topped last year's total by over 350 pints.
Link to full articleWednesday, December 22, 2010 at 09:00AM A new website site called Live More Drink Less Vermont launched earlier this month. Its hope is to help people in their early 20s learn more about the dangers of binge drinking. According to the Vermont Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 15 percent of Americans 21 and older binge drink, but that average reaches 17 percent here in Vermont. The system also revealed that 36 percent of 18-24-year-olds in Vermont binge drink.
Link to full articleFriday, December 17, 2010 at 10:45AM The trustees of Central Vermont Medical Center and Fletcher Allen Health Care have voted to proceed with an affiliation agreement -- subject to due diligence and regulatory approvals -- as a way to provide better care to patients, improve health and reduce costs for Vermonters. The Fletcher Allen board of trustees unanimously voted today, joining the CVMC board, which unanimously voted in favor of affiliation on December 7.
Link to full articleFriday, November 19, 2010 at 02:48PM Friday, October 8, 2010 at 02:34PM The rate of binge drinking among Vermont adults is slightly higher than the national average, according to a new federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. Seventeen percent, or about one-in-six, of Vermonters age 21 or over binge drink, compared to the national average of 15 percent, the report said. Binge drinking has a serious effect on Vermonters’ health and safety, said Barbara Cimaglio, Vermont’s deputy commissioner of health for alcohol and drug abuse programs.
Link to full articleThursday, September 30, 2010 at 03:23PM Vermont is getting a big federal grant to help expand the primary health care work force. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is giving out $320 million in Affordable Care Act funds across the nation, and the University of Vermont will get $131,786 of it for planning. The programs are aimed at boosting primary health care and providing more community-based prevention.
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