AGP Executive Report

Community Health Access: Vermont Care Partners says four more agencies—Northeast Kingdom Human Services, Howard Center, NCSS, and HCRS—are now Certified Community-Based Integrated Health Centers, bringing Vermont’s total to six and expanding coordinated care close to home. AI in Care Delivery: Assort Health names Sunny Eappen, MD, MBA, as its first Chief Medical Officer to help health systems use AI agents to reduce admin friction and better match patients to care pathways. Medical Innovation in Vermont: Burlington-based Pacto Medical wins a Red Dot Design Concept for Slimshot, a compact prefilled syringe platform aimed at cutting packaging and supply-chain burden. Caregiving Support: Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging is accepting grant applications for the National Family Caregiver Support Program for 2026–2027, funding respite, counseling, training, and support groups in Rutland and Bennington. Home Health & Hospice Fundraiser: VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region launches an online auction tied to its Golf Day Fore VNA to support care for more than 4,000 patients and families. Public Health Watch: CDC reports the Cyclospora outbreak has spread to 47 states with nearly 23,000 cases and rising hospitalizations. Data Privacy: Brown Health Medical Group confirms a breach tied to Lifespan Physician Group in Massachusetts, affecting more than 311,000 people and offering identity protection. Maternal Care Pressure: A New Hampshire report finds closures of labor-and-delivery units and birth centers since 2000, with regional ripple effects as Vermont facilities face similar financial strain.

Community Health Access: Vermont Care Partners says four more agencies—Northeast Kingdom Human Services, Howard Center, NCSS, and HCRS—are now certified as Certified Community-Based Integrated Health Centers, bringing Vermont’s total to six. Caregiving Support: The Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging is taking applications for the National Family Caregiver Support Program for Oct. 1, 2026–Sept. 30, 2027, with grants for respite, counseling, training, and caregiver groups in Rutland and Bennington counties. Home Health & Hospice Fundraising: VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region launches its first online auction tied to its 8th Annual Golf Day Fore VNA, aiming to support care for more than 4,000 patients and families. Public Health & Environment: Casella’s PFAS removal test at its Coventry landfill is moving forward without required testing of potential PFAS emissions into air, drawing fresh concern from advocates. Health Tech & Jobs: Assort Health names Sunny Eappen, MD, MBA, as its first Chief Medical Officer to guide AI agents for patient access and care navigation. Mental Health Tech Oversight: States including Vermont are tightening rules as AI “therapists” face scrutiny over claims and direct engagement with users. Injury Update: A serious UTV crash in Westminster sent a patient by helicopter to Dartmouth Hitchcock; Vermont State Police are investigating.

Community Care Expansion: Vermont Care Partners says four more agencies—NKHS, Howard Center, NCSS, and HCRS—are now Certified Community-Based Integrated Health Centers, bringing Vermont’s total to six. Workforce & Access: Vermont Veterans’ Home held graduation for its 2026 Licensed Nursing Assistant class, adding six new LNA graduates to the state workforce. Public Health Leadership: The U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as CDC director, making her the first Black woman to lead the agency as it tackles outbreaks and staffing strain. Food Safety Watch: Vermont health officials confirmed five cyclosporiasis cases not yet tied to the national iceberg lettuce outbreak, while CDC tracks other foodborne illness clusters. Caregiving Support: Southwestern Vermont Council on Aging is accepting grant applications for the National Family Caregiver Support Program for 2026–2027. Local Health Fundraising: VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region launched its first online auction tied to Golf Day Fore VNA to support home health and hospice services. AI & Risk Debate: A new report warns that developing AI beyond human supervision needs stronger regulation and safeguards.

CCBHC Expansion: Vermont Care Partners says four more agencies—Northeast Kingdom Human Services, Howard Center, NCSS, and HCRS—are now certified as Certified Community-Based Integrated Health Centers, bringing Vermont’s total to six and aiming to strengthen coordinated care close to home. Hospital Budget Pressure: UVM Health returns to the Green Mountain Care Board seeking approval for its next budgets, arguing it’s moved beyond “business as usual” after regulators pushed for major cost cuts and changes. Public Health Guidance: A new report urges blood-pressure advice to pair sodium reduction with higher dietary potassium, while warning people with kidney disease or certain meds need caution. CDC Leadership: The U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as CDC director as the agency faces outbreaks including measles, cyclosporiasis, and Ebola. Local Safety & Health Access: Burlington residents and advocates discuss biking safety after a teen’s e-bike crash, while Vermont State Police update a Newbury shooting case and identify the injured victim. Tech in Care: Assort Health names a Chief Medical Officer to guide AI agents for patient navigation, and Burlington-based Pacto Medical’s compact syringe concept earns a Red Dot design award.

UVM Health Budget Reset: Vermont’s largest hospital network is back before state regulators with a “not business as usual” budget pitch after leadership changes, prior cuts, and a push to close a roughly $300 million deficit. Hospital Labor Pressure: UVM Medical Center Support Staff United says proposed staffing and service cuts are driving contract talks toward a possible strike, with workers arguing the problem is management—not patients or frontline staff. Brattleboro Memorial Hospital Financial Strain: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital projects another year of deficit spending and is signaling major instability even as it plans to close its birthing center, setting up an Aug. 14 public hearing with the Green Mountain Care Board. Public Health Leadership: The U.S. Senate confirmed Dr. Erica Schwartz as CDC director as the agency faces outbreaks including measles and cyclosporiasis. Care Access in Rural Vermont: Rural Community Transportation is still adjusting routes after taking over Franklin County bus service, with demand rising for non-emergency medical rides and programs for older adults and people with disabilities. Community Health Support: VNA & Hospice of the Southwest Region launched an online auction to expand funding for home health and hospice care across Bennington, Franklin, and Rutland counties. Data & Safety Watch: Vermont and other states continue to grapple with health data privacy and breach investigations, while battery storage safety guidance highlights public health concerns from lithium-ion fires.

Maternal care access in Vermont: A new step-down rehab facility in Vergennes is filling a “missing middle” between detox and sober living, with about 30 people served and a 90-day treatment track after a Bradford detox start. Public health risk: Vermont health officials say cyclosporiasis cases remain limited and risk is low, while a separate report flags pesticide exposure as linked to a higher ALS risk. Healthcare system pressure: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is submitting a budget while facing financial stability concerns, as advocates push back on the planned closure of the region’s birthing center. Data privacy: Vermont joined a multi-state privacy regulators consortium, as multiple breaches and investigations continue to raise alarms for patient data. Safety at home: Winooski condo residents were displaced after a charging e-bike lithium-ion battery fire, prompting new caution guidance. Food security: The Brattleboro Food Co-op donated $19,500 to Foodworks, supporting thousands of people—especially children—through a no-income-verification food shelf model. Policy debate: Commentary and reporting continue to spotlight Vermont’s governance and education oversight, including concerns about how unelected boards shape healthcare and other major decisions.

Vermont Health Policy & Access: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital’s Birthing Center funding fight continues after the Selectboard declined a tax hike request, buying time while a regional coalition works to prevent closure. Data Privacy: Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark says the state has joined a multi-state privacy regulators consortium tied to Act 145, which gives Vermonters more control over personal data starting in 2028. Maternal & Family Mental Health: A new JAMA Psychiatry argument says adult and child mental health care often misses opportunities for prevention and coordinated family treatment. Opioids & Rural Care: Sen. Peter Welch and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito introduced a bipartisan bill to preserve the Rural Communities Opioid Response Program. Community Health Support: A free pop-up medical, dental and vision clinic is set for this weekend in Bennington, with no ID required. Local Public Safety: Vermont State Police identified two Newbury shooting victims and are seeking a bright yellow truck with a ladder rack. Aging & Caregiving: Windham Aging awarded a mini-grant to expand music and arts programming at memory cafés for people living with dementia. Healthcare Business Risk: Brown Health Medical Group is under investigation after a data breach reportedly affected nearly 300,000 patients.

VA Access: Sen. Bernie Sanders announced new community-based VA outpatient clinics for Vermont veterans—an expanded South Burlington site (replacing Burlington) and a combined Brattleboro/Keene-area clinic in West Chesterfield, both slated to open in spring 2029. Cancer Research: UVM researchers received an NIEHS/NIH R01 grant to study what drives rare DNA damage that leads to melanoma, aiming to inform prevention strategies. Substance Use Response: Howard Center’s Public Inebriate Program is returning to Burlington, offering a voluntary, supervised alternative to ERs or incarceration while connecting people to services. Child Support: Vermont’s DCF Office of Child Support marked Child Support Awareness Month, noting it collected $41.5M last fiscal year to support families’ needs. Medicare Advantage Disruptions: Humana confirmed additional Medicare Advantage market exits for 2027, affecting about 600,000 members nationwide, including Texas. Maternal Care Concern: Vermont clinicians sounded alarms about a hit to maternal care. Workforce & Long-Term Care: A Bennington nursing home began onboarding bachelor-prepared nurses from Mexico to help address staffing shortages. Public Health Leadership: A Senate committee advanced Dr. Erica Schwartz’s nomination to lead the CDC. Policy Fight on Health Costs: Vermont AG Charity Clark joined a coalition lawsuit challenging a federal rule aimed at undermining the Affordable Care Act and raising insurance costs. Community Health Events: Community Health added Alzheimer’s support groups in Castleton and Rutland and reminded residents to review vaccine needs.

VA Care Expansion: Sen. Bernie Sanders announced new community-based VA outpatient clinics in South Burlington, VT (bigger replacement facility with dental care) and West Chesterfield, NH (serving Brattleboro-area veterans), with both slated to open in spring 2029. Hospital Budget Watch: NMC’s new CEO, Jonathan Billings, is set to present the hospital’s latest budget to the Green Mountain Care Board, arguing for financial sustainability without cutting services. Maternal Care Alarm: Vermont clinicians are sounding the alarm about a hit to maternal care, raising concerns for access and outcomes. Public Health Research: UVM Cancer Center researchers won an NIEHS/NIH R01 to study DNA damage pathways behind melanoma, aiming to inform prevention strategies. Substance Use Response: Howard Center is reviving a Public Inebriate Program in Burlington, offering a voluntary alternative to ER or jail for people intoxicated but not needing medical treatment. Long-Term Care Workforce: Crescent Manor in Bennington began onboarding four bachelor-prepared registered nurses from Mexico as part of a workforce pipeline toward Vermont licensure. Drug Pricing Enforcement: Vermont is in the orbit of a major multistate $400M settlement in principle with Sandoz over alleged generic drug price-fixing. Community Mental Health: Brattleboro Retreat plans a Move Forward Together 5K for Suicide Awareness on Sept. 12, with local mental health resources and stigma reduction at the center. Public Safety Incident: Vermont State Police are investigating a shooting in Newbury that sent an injured man to Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.

AI in Pharmacy: Kinney Drugs’ new AI refill assistant is drawing complaints from Vermont and New York customers, who report delays, wrong or unclear refill requests, and privacy worries. ACA Under Fire: Vermont and other state attorneys general are suing to block Trump administration rules aimed at weakening Affordable Care Act protections, warning they could raise costs and make coverage harder to get. Public Health & Substance Use: Howard Center is expanding its Public Inebriate Program to Burlington, offering a supervised alternative to ER care or incarceration for people intoxicated from substances. Long-Term Care Workforce: Crescent Manor in Bennington is recruiting bachelor-prepared registered nurses from Mexico as part of a broader strategy to stabilize Vermont’s nursing workforce. Mental Health in the Community: The Brattleboro Retreat is launching a Move Forward Together 5K for Suicide Awareness to connect residents with local mental health resources. Vermont Health Research: UVM researchers are pursuing an NIEHS NIH grant to study DNA damage pathways behind melanoma, with the goal of better prevention. Local Safety: Vermont State Police are investigating a serious shooting in Newbury that sent a man by airlift to Dartmouth Hitchcock.

Vermont Health Access & Care Navigation: Valley Health Connections traces its roots from the Precision Valley Free Clinic to today’s referral model, helping patients connect to primary and specialty care across the region. Substance Use Crisis Response: Howard Center is expanding help in Burlington with a Public Inebriate Program, offering a supervised, voluntary alternative to ER visits or incarceration while linking people to services. Long-Term Care Workforce: Crescent Manor in Bennington is recruiting four bachelor-prepared registered nurses from Mexico, starting them on a step-by-step path toward Vermont licensure to address staffing shortages. Mental Health in the Community: The Brattleboro Retreat launches a Move Forward Together 5K for Suicide Awareness on Sept. 12, aiming to reduce stigma and connect residents with local mental health resources. Public Health & Food: UVM researchers are studying how different exposures can drive rare DNA damage that leads to melanoma, with hopes of informing prevention. Nutrition Notes: A study on milk samples from Vermont and New York finds omega-3 levels vary by labeling and season, with organic grass-fed milk highest. Healthcare Policy Watch: Vermont appears strong in U.S. News’ overall state ranking (10th), scoring well on healthcare access, quality, and public health. Tech in Pharmacy: Vermont and New York chain Kinney Drugs faces customer complaints after rolling out an AI refill assistant tied to delays and wrong medication info. End-of-Life Law Clash: A judge blocks parts of New York’s assisted-dying law from being enforced against Catholic nuns and ministries while their lawsuit proceeds.

Melanoma Research in Vermont: UVM researchers say Vermont’s high melanoma rates may connect to specific DNA damage patterns, launching an NIEHS/NIH R01 to study how different cancer-causing exposures alter skin-cell DNA and could guide prevention like next-gen sunscreens. Public Health & Safety in Burlington: Howard Center is expanding its Adult Crisis Stabilization work with a new Public Inebriate Program in Burlington, offering a supervised, voluntary alternative to ER visits or incarceration while linking people to services. Long-Term Care Workforce: Crescent Manor in Bennington has started training four bachelor-prepared registered nurses recruited from Mexico, building a pathway toward Vermont licensure to help address staffing shortages. Mental Health in Brattleboro: The Brattleboro Retreat plans a Move Forward Together 5K for Suicide Awareness on Sept. 12, aiming to raise awareness and connect residents with local mental health resources. Nutrition & Food Access: A UVM-led study finds milk’s omega-3 levels vary by label and season, and SNAP’s August 2026 benefit schedule is set by state. Care Coverage Watch: A new analysis says Obamacare marketplace enrollment fell in 49 states after enhanced federal subsidies expired, with New Mexico the exception. Vermont in National Rankings: U.S. News places Vermont 10th overall, praising healthcare access/quality and public health while noting weaker transportation and fiscal stability.

Vermont Health Spotlight: UVM researchers secured a new NIEHS R01 grant to study what drives rare DNA damage that leads to melanoma, with hopes of informing prevention (including next-gen sunscreen ideas). Crisis Care Access: Howard Center says it’s expanding its Public Inebriate Program to Burlington, offering a supervised, voluntary alternative to ER or jail for people who are intoxicated but don’t need medical treatment. Aging & Community Support: Neighborhood Connections in southern Vermont is expanding services for cognitive decline through its “Remembering Together” program, alongside its rides, Meals on Wheels, and benefits-navigation work. Workforce for Long-Term Care: Crescent Manor in Bennington welcomed its first group of four bachelor-prepared nurses from Mexico as part of a pathway to Vermont licensure and stronger staffing stability. Public Health Guidance: A new report argues blood-pressure guidance misses the role of dietary potassium and that pairing sodium reduction with more potassium could improve prevention and management. State Health Rankings: U.S. News ranks Vermont 10th overall for 2026, praising healthcare access/quality and public health while flagging weaker transportation and long-term fiscal stability.

Vermont Public Health: Vermont health officials confirmed 5 cases of cyclosporiasis and said the risk remains low, with a separate update noting no link to recalled lettuce. Substance Use Response: Howard Center revived its Public Inebriate Program in Burlington, giving police a supervised alternative to ERs or jail for intoxicated people, with virtual screening support from Recovery House. Workforce & Long-Term Care: Crescent Manor in Bennington began onboarding four bachelor-prepared registered nurses from Mexico as part of a broader strategy to stabilize long-term care staffing and support Vermont licensure pathways. Mental Health in the Community: The Brattleboro Retreat announced a Sept. 12 Move Forward Together 5K for Suicide Awareness to raise funds and connect residents with mental health resources. Health Policy & Costs (National, with Vermont relevance): Vermont attorneys general joined lawsuits challenging federal moves that would make Affordable Care Act coverage more expensive and harder to get, including changes to catastrophic plan rules and out-of-pocket limits. Public Safety & Health: A Brattleboro man reported missing was found dead in Deerfield, with the medical examiner to determine cause; foul play was not suspected. Prevention & Equity in Sports: Vermont Principals’ Association launched “No White Shorts,” aiming to reduce period-related anxiety barriers for girls in sports by changing uniform requirements and access to feminine care products.

Public Health Update: Vermont health officials confirmed 5 cyclosporiasis cases, stressing the risk remains low and that the outbreak linked to recalled iceberg lettuce was not distributed in Vermont. Tick Season Watch: CDC data show 3,586 babesiosis cases reported in 2023, with cases concentrated in the Northeast and peaking in late summer—important for people who don’t improve after Lyme treatment. Medicaid Policy: A federal judge denied Democratic-led states’ bid to pause new Medicaid work requirements, setting a Jan. 1 implementation deadline. Care Access & Affordability: A multistate coalition, co-led by California AG Bonta, sued to block a Trump administration rule that would expand catastrophic health plans in ways that could raise costs and weaken Affordable Care Act protections. Vermont Health & Wellness Events: Blue Cross VT is hosting free Kayak Days Aug. 15 at Prouty Beach in Newport, with rentals, snacks, and a virtual challenge supporting Camp Exclamation Point. Workforce & Long-Term Care: Crescent Manor in Bennington welcomed four bachelor-prepared nurses from Mexico as part of a pathway to Vermont licensure and stronger staffing. Mental Health in the Community: The Brattleboro Retreat announced a Move Forward Together 5K for Suicide Awareness on Sept. 12, aimed at connecting people with local mental health resources.

Maternal care funding fight: Vermont clinicians are urging Gov. Phil Scott and state health leaders to boost obstetric care statewide, arguing Medicaid reimbursement for labor and delivery falls far short of costs—an issue they say is pushing more hospitals toward birthing-center closures. Hospital budget pressure: Brattleboro Memorial Hospital is moving toward closing its southeastern Vermont birthing center amid major losses, and the town even considered a tax hike before backing off—while state funding is framed as meant to reshape care delivery, not plug deficits. Public health leadership: A U.S. Senate committee advanced Erica Schwartz, M.D., J.D., M.P.H., toward CDC director, with Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders among those opposing over concerns about political interference in science-based vaccine guidance. Substance use crisis response: Howard Center is launching a Public Inebriate Program in Burlington as a voluntary alternative to ER visits or incarceration, aiming to free up law enforcement and medical resources. Workforce solutions in long-term care: Crescent Manor in Bennington is recruiting bachelor-prepared nurses from Mexico, building a pathway toward Vermont licensure to address staffing shortages. Community wellness events: Blue Cross VT’s free Kayak Days returns Aug. 15 at Prouty Beach, and Age Well’s Wonders of Wellness Fair brings wellness resources to St. Albans on Aug. 14. Rabies prevention: Vermont’s next wildlife rabies vaccine bait drop is set to begin Aug. 1, expanding coverage as rabies cases rise.