Medical groups urge Senate to restore primary care payments and AHACK workforce funds

Jessa Barard, representing the Vermont Medical Society and allied physician groups, urged the committee to restore two categories of cuts she said threaten primary care: a $2 million general-fund reduction (a $5 million gross reduction) in alternative payments to primary care, and roughly $1.27 million gross cut across AHACK workforce programs (loan repayment, early pipeline, and physician placement).

"Our first ... request is to restore the D.VA alternative payments to primary care. This is a $2 million cut to primary care ... a $5 million gross cut," Barard told senators, emphasizing the role of alternative payments in stabilizing primary care practices. She said AHACK programs help build a pipeline of clinicians — from middle school exposure to loan repayment incentives — and noted the House restored part of the loan repayment bucket but did not fully restore the early pipeline funds.

Christina Mclofflin of Vermont Health First asked the committee to reallocate $2 million currently proposed for a provider stabilization fund to instead reverse a DVHA base funding cut; she said restoring that funding would draw down approximately $5 million gross and provide more immediate support to struggling practices.

Committee members took the testimony and indicated they would weigh restoration options while reconciling priorities across the FY27 budget.