Senator Lyons, Chair of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee discussed some of the primary issues they would be addressing during the 2024 session. Her overall emphasis was on Health Care access. Act 81 would address health care related to housing and homelessness.

Lyons specifically discussed health care reform, including the cost of health care. She does not blame hospitals or health care providers for the high cost of health care, but emphasized that the problem is with the system. She stated that the Committee would work on ways to improve the system, but she did not mention any specific plans.

Another concern she plans to address is for equitable reimbursement for health care, including access and outcomes. She said that she plans to write a bill to address was to improve health care affordability, access and quality of care in hospitals.

Addressing mental health and recovery, opioids will be other priory items. The Committee will be working with the Green Mountain Care Board, as well as other departments dealing with health care.