The debate over the Green Mountain Surgery Center proposal continues with those opposing sending a letter to Vermont regulators June 6 arguing ASC investors should not receive additional face time with the regulators, according to VT Digger.
Here are five things to know:
1. Nearly two years ago, ASC investors submitted a proposal to build Green Mountain Surgery Center in Burlington, Vt., sparking opposition from Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems. The association said the ASC will boost costs and provide unnecessary duplicate services.
2. The investors want the opportunity to meet with Green Mountain Care Board members and have members engage in a direct question-and-answer session with the investors.
3. Investors specifically want the board to meet with Amy Cooper, the ASC's lead investor, to answer all questions. Ms. Cooper said the meetings are necessary as emails cannot fully encapsulate everything people are saying and things may get lost in translation, according to VT Digger.
4. Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems and Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans (Vt.) wrote the letter to regulators to persuade the Green Mountain Care Board to block the surgery center investors' request. The board will make the final decision regarding the ASC proposal.
5. The hospital association and Northwestern Medical Center in St. Albans said in the letter, "The record regarding the application, compiled over almost two years, is complete," and therefore the board should not grant additional time to meet with investors.