The Green Mountain Care Board put the decision about approving a new ASC in Vermont on hold since January as the board was short two members. However, the decision may come soon as Governor Phil Scott appointed new board members, the Burlington Free Press reports.
Mr. Scott appointed Sen. Kevin Mullin, R-Rutland, and Maureen Usifer, a former chief financial officer at Seventh Generation, to the board. Mr. Mullin will serve as board chairman and Ms. Usifer will be on the board of directors.
In April, the Green Mountain Care Board held a hearing for Green Mountain Surgery Center which a group of independent physicians proposed more than two years ago. The physicians' ASC would cost $1.8 million to build and would offer orthopedic and spine procedures among others.
Among those opposed to the center includes Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. The health system CEO wrote a commentary against the ASC in April, saying the state's "highly regulated hospitals" are dedicated to providing high quality care at low costs and hospitals abide to state and federal regulatory requirements.
In his commentary, the CEO said the community does not need the ASC. He cited a report a healthcare management firm conducted saying there is ample space available in the community to offer surgeries to residents for at least another 20 years. Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, the state's largest insurance company, supported Green Mountain Surgery Center in March.