The commentary by Tom Sullivan on health care reform in Vermont presents a compelling case for a collaborative approach among stakeholders to address the state’s pressing health care challenges. Sullivan, president emeritus and professor of law and political science at the University of Vermont, emphasizes the need for an evolved regulatory framework beyond the Green Mountain Care Board’s (GMCB) initial single-payer system design.
Sullivan stresses the importance of broad access to quality health care services at reasonable costs—an objective outlined by legislative statute years ago but still relevant today. He argues that this goal requires cooperation among hospitals, medical centers, insurance providers, the GMCB, and the Legislature. A comprehensive reform approach should consider various health-influencing factors and sustain investments in key areas to enhance health care services for all Vermonters.
One critical point of discussion is the inefficacy of the current practice of capping hospital revenue. Sullivan contends that this method undermines the statutory goals of care quality and patient access. While reducing health care expenses is a mutual concern, it should not jeopardize care quality, patient outcomes, or timely service access. Thus, he believes that merely cutting revenues and hospital budgets cannot address fundamental issues and might lead to reduced access and diminished care quality.
Sullivan supports his arguments with data on the UVM Medical Center (UVMMC), a pivotal entity in Vermont’s health care system. UVMMC, an academic medical center and community hospital, serves over 1.3 million patients annually and addresses nearly 70,000 emergency visits. Its transformative research benefits medical care not only in Vermont but globally as well. UVMMC also significantly contributes to addressing the national shortage of health care professionals, with many Vermont physicians having trained at UVMMC and its Larner College of Medicine.
The article also notes the UVM Health Network’s economic impact, estimated at $2.7 billion in Vermont for 2024, and its substantial community contributions through grants, donations, subsidized care, and social health investments. The UVMMC’s “four-star” quality rating, on par with prestigious New England institutions like Dartmouth Hitchcock and Yale New Haven, exemplifies its esteemed medical field status.
In conclusion, Sullivan calls for a unified effort from Vermont’s health care providers, regulators, insurers, and lawmakers to develop a reformed system prioritizing quality care, positive patient outcomes, and accessible services. By collaborating with a shared commitment to these objectives, he believes Vermont could cultivate a sustainable, high-quality health care system benefiting all residents.
