Taking care of Vermonters begins with maintaining strong hospitals, clinics, healthcare providers, and community health organizations.
Healthcare reform should improve affordability without unintentionally weakening the institutions that patients depend upon every day. Vermonters cannot receive quality care if the hospitals, clinics, and healthcare professionals they depend upon are unable to remain financially viable.
A Real Example: Protecting Our Hospitals
One clear example of this principle came during the Senate’s consideration of H.266 (Act 55 of 2025), legislation relating to Vermont’s 340B prescription drug pricing program.
During Senate debate, I raised concerns about the implementation timeline and the potential impact on Vermont hospitals. The 340B program provides significant savings on prescription drugs for qualifying healthcare providers — particularly hospitals and clinics serving low-income and rural patients. Any changes to how that program is implemented carry real financial consequences for the institutions that Vermonters depend upon every day.
After discussions with stakeholders and members of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, I offered an amendment that delayed implementation and provided healthcare providers additional time to prepare for significant operational and financial changes.
The amendment received support from members of the committee and was ultimately adopted by the Senate as part of the final legislation.
My concern was straightforward: healthcare providers need sufficient time to adapt to major policy changes if they are to continue providing high-quality care to Vermonters. Rushing implementation without adequate preparation risks destabilizing the very institutions our communities rely on.
That is the balance I work to strike — pursuing policies that make care more affordable while ensuring the hospitals, clinics, and health professionals who deliver that care can remain strong and financially sound.