Heard it at School: Health insurance and hidden history

The Vermont Education Health Initiative (VEHI) has announced that its rate filings for fiscal year 2027 will reflect a lower increase than in the previous year.

The rates as filed, which the VEHI Board of Directors authorized on Oct. 21, predict an average premium increase of 7.3%. Last year saw premiums increase more than 11% over FY25.

This proposed single-digit filing, the first since FY23, is largely the result of a combination of price- and cost-control actions by the Vermont Legislature, state regulators at the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) and VEHI, the filing stated.

Three major decisions were cited as the leading factors of this lower increase, including Act 55 and the price cap on hospital-administered medications at 120% of the Average Sales Price, modest hospital budget increases in FY26 and weight-loss benefit exclusion for GLP-1 medications.

These three items are expected to save VEHI approximately $40 million, according to the filing.

"Without the bold intervention of the Legislature and GMCB to reduce the costs of hospital services and hospital-administered medications, VEHI's proposed rate increase in FY27 would have landed between 15% and 20%," the filing stated.

The filing said VEHI will continue to explore cost-saving measures, including via a partnership with prescription consultant Remedy Analytics, to explore independently contracting with an alternative pharmacy benefit manager.

The rates will be filed with the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation by Oct. 31, and a formal decision from the DFR is expected in January.

Hidden History expansion

Three major funding sources will significantly expand the Castleton Hidden History Project (CHHP), according to a press release from earlier this month.

The CHHP, operated through Vermont State University Castleton, aims to uncover and share stories from Castleton's past that are often overlooked, including through archaeological work at the Granger House.

The Granger House is a circa-1800s home currently being transformed into the Granger-Moulton Museum and Learning Laboratory.

A new grant from the Lake Champlain Basin Program will bring CHHP's immersive archaeology programming to classrooms across the region. A $100,000 Paul Bruhn Historic Revitalization grant from the Preservation Trust of Vermont will support critical restoration work at the Granger House. Finally, $300,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending championed by U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is funding essential accessibility upgrades and expanded exhibition space at the site.

"I want a future where I contribute to the academic and scientific community through archaeology," said Colin Kemper, a senior in the Anthropology, Archaeology and Geography program at VTSU. "The field trips are a great opportunity for kids to become educated about Vermont's background and culture, and I think Granger House is a great way to do that."

The Castleton Hidden History Project's outreach program will run through June 30, bringing immersive, hands-on history education to classrooms across the region.

Upcoming meetings

The Slate Valley Unified Union School Board will meet beginning at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 3, at Fair Haven Union High School.

The Otter Valley Unified Union School Board will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, at Otter Valley Union High School.

The Greater Rutland County Supervisory Union Board will meet beginning at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, at the GRCSU Central Office.

The Mill River Unified Union School Board will meet beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 5, at Mill River Union High School.

If you have an educational tip you'd like to see featured, please reach out to me at sophia.buckley-clement@rutlandherald.com.