Health committee finalizes budget letter, ranks top 10 priorities and asks Appropriations to review

Jen Kirby of the Office of Legislative Council presented the committee's grant budget letter to the House Appropriations Committee for fiscal year 2027, saying the memo summarizes the committee's top 10 ranked priorities, funding requests advocates made, and language the committee recommends including in the budget bill.

Kirby walked members through priorities and language requests that included: appropriating health‑IT funds to establish a closed‑loop referral pathway between Vermont 2‑1‑1 and University of Vermont Health (EPIC integration); removing a 2027 sunset on the medical‑students primary‑care scholarship program; directing the Department of Vermont Health Access to implement family‑planning codes eligible for a 90/10 federal match and report by 2026‑10‑01; and reinsurance authorization language to pursue a state innovation waiver under section 1332 of the Affordable Care Act.

Committee members discussed the practical effects and asked for transparency: the chair agreed to attach a spreadsheet with all funding requests the committee received so Appropriations can see the full set of asks. Members also debated proposed increases to prescription co‑pays in the governor's budget; a health care advocate summarized regional co‑pay examples and potential pharmacy effects, and members asked for clearer estimates of state savings or costs related to changes.

By voice/hand straw poll the committee approved sending the letter and recommendations to the House Appropriations Committee; the chair said absent members may be allowed to weigh in later and that the committee chair will present the recommendations to Appropriations in the coming week.

Next steps: Committee staff will attach the full spreadsheet of funding requests, finalize language for sections a–d of the memo, and the committee chair will present the committee's recommendations to the Appropriations Committee.