Scott outlined his intentions in an incendiary letter accompanying his signature on S.285, a bill that gives the care council more than $ 4 million to come up with a “patient-focused community-based plan” to set hospital budgets. .
Scott said he was “reluctant” to sign the bill, but also instructed the executive to keep the Green Mountain Care Board accountable “to provide thoughtful and effective regulation in the upcoming reviews of hospital budgets and health insurance.”
The letter is the latest indication that the Scottish administration and care board are out of step when it comes to health care in Vermont. The administration wants the Green Mountain Care Board to regulate, not legislate.
Board members, on the other hand, are becoming increasingly concerned about rising hospital costs and the consequences of care costs. They argue that devising innovative ways to regulate hospitals is within the remit of the board.
Kevin Mullin, outgoing chairman of the Green Mountain Care Board, accused Scott of exceeding. He said the board was ready to work with the administration, but noted that the board had a legal right to ignore attempts by the administration to intervene in this year’s budget cycle.
“Clearly, this letter is an oversight of the Scottish administration,” Mullin said. “We will work with them because this is something that is very, very important to Vermont’s economy, but (Scott) just doesn’t have the legal authority to influence the board.
The Care Council, established during the Shumlin administration, exists outside the executive branch of government. The five-member body is responsible for regulating hospital budgets, insurance rates and the only responsible care organization in the country, OneCare Vermont. State law gives Scott the right to appoint board members from a shortlist drawn up by a nomination committee, but the board itself is independent.
Scott’s spokesman Jason Mauluchi said in an email Friday that the administration intends to participate in the Green Mountain Care Board’s regulatory process “like any other stakeholder”.
Mauluchi said the board could ignore the administration, but that would distract from the work the board needs to do this summer to stabilize the health system. As stated in the manager’s letter, failure to do so will lead to proposals to change the role of the board. “
The battle between the governor and the Green Mountain Care Board stems from differences of opinion on leadership in health policy. The members of the care board sought to play a greater role in public policy through S.285, a bill designed to give the council more power to regulate hospital budgets.
But after hospitals and Scott administration officials opposed the bill, lawmakers dulled it significantly by inserting language that confirms that the executive, not the care board, should outline the state’s health policy.
Instead, the final bill gives the Green Mountain Care Council more than $ 4 million to come up with a “patient-focused community-based plan” to set hospital budgets. The bill also directs the Human Services Agency and the care council to work together on a new proposal, which may, but does not have to, include the budgetary authority that the council wants.
Scott’s letter calls for “strict oversight” of the care council’s activities to ensure “full transparency”.
Jeff Timan, president and CEO of the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, said his organization opposes the bill.
“We agree with the position that the Green Mountain Care Board should focus on predictable and fair regulation, not on policy-making and planning,” he said.
Mullin said Scott’s reaction to S.285 reflected the position of hospital leaders who opposed the bill from the start.
“We can’t just let the status quo go on forever. ) (Hospitals) would just like to be left alone. “I understand that,” Mullin said. “But unfortunately the people of Vermont can’t afford to be left alone.”
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated that the governor’s office did not respond to requests for comment.
Don’t miss anything. Register here to receive VTDigger’s weekly email about Vermont hospitals, healthcare trends, insurance and government health policies.
 100vw, 610px”/></noscript><img data-attachment-id=)