Bill > H0719

This bill allows hospitals and health systems in Vermont to collaborate on initiatives aimed at cost containment, improving access to care, enhancing quality, preserving rural hospitals, or advancing the state's health policy goals, and provides them with "state action immunity" from antitrust lawsuits. This immunity means that if these collaborations follow specific state oversight procedures, they cannot be sued under federal or state antitrust laws, which are designed to prevent monopolies and promote fair competition. To qualify for this immunity, hospitals must first get authorization from the Secretary of Human Services to explore collaboration, then have any proposed initiatives approved by the Secretary as consistent with the state's health policy goals, and finally, be actively supervised by the Agency of Human Services throughout the collaboration and implementation process. The bill also clarifies that sharing cost, utilization, workforce, and quality data among collaborating parties is permitted and will not be considered a violation of antitrust law. Furthermore, it amends existing laws to ensure that these approved hospital collaborations are exempt from prohibitions against unfair competition and criminal antitrust violations.

Health and Social Services

https://legislature.vermont.gov/bill/status/2026/H.719