Lt. Governor Zuckerman Requests Transparency and Accountability for Health Care Outcomes

PRESS RELEASE: June 30, 2020

Lt. Governor Zuckerman Requests Transparency and Accountability for Health Care Outcomes

BURLINGTON: Today, Vermont State Auditor Douglas Hoffer released a report on Vermont’s All-Payer Accountable Care Organization (ACO) Model.

Healthcare is critically important to every one of Vermont’s over 600,000 residents. Vermonters need it and use it from the moment they are born to their last days and many times in between. 

“I commend Auditor Hoffer’s work in compiling this report and agree with his strong recommendations. The ACO and Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) are lacking transparent methods for the public and the legislature to measure the cost and efficacy of the model,” said Lt. Governor Zuckerman. “To assess quality improvement we need clear baselines and bold targets that show clear health improvements for Vermonters. This will allow us to measure the model’s success and whether we should continue with this multi-million dollar investment.” 

The report also raises concerns about the transparency of the data provided to Auditor Hoffer. Specifically, on page 22 the ACO’s administrative costs were excluded in the calculation of total cost. Additionally, the ACO omitted $17.4 million in spending over their projected budget on Medicaid in 2019. These omissions hide the true deficiencies of the system. 

“Vermonters deserve healthcare systems that are working efficiently, transparently, and, most importantly, successfully in addressing their healthcare needs,” said Lt. Governor Zuckerman. “This report demonstrates an unacceptable lack of accountability and oversight and raises a significant number of questions about the viability of the ACO model.”

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