November 17, 2022 - Vermont Chamber of Commerce

Healthcare Roundup

June 23, 2023November 17, 2022

Healthcare Roundup

Several evolvements in the shifting healthcare landscape have made headlines in recent months:

On the national level, Sen. Joe Manchin and Majority Leader Sen. Chuck Schumer came to an agreement on Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies, extending the subsidies to 2025 with the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act. The subsidies, eligible to those purchasing in the Vermont Health Connect marketplace, were previously set to expire at the end of 2022.
Without those federal subsidies, employees of small businesses would have paid more for health care. The Vermont Chamber participated in the working group, as per H.489 (Act 137), with the Department of Financial Regulation and the GMCB to make recommendations on maintaining separate individual and small-group health insurance markets. The extension of the ACA subsidies at the federal level provides a longer runway for this work.
Last session, the Vermont Chamber advocated to maintain separate markets, securing $17.7 million in healthcare savings for small businesses. However, premiums are trending up for 2023 as the GMCB’s 2023 rate review forecasts nearly 20% increases.
In September, Governor Scott announced new appointments to the Green Mountain Care Board (GMCB) adding one new member, Dr. David Murman of Waterbury, and retaining Board member Robin Lunge of Berlin, who will serve on the 5-person board alongside the newly appointed board chair, Owen Foster of Middlebury. The GMCB is charged with balancing increasing health costs and insurance rates without overly burdening ratepayers.

November 17, 2022

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Attracting More Workers for a Successful Future

November 22, 2022November 17, 2022

Attracting More Workers for a Successful Future

Vermont continues to lead the nation in addressing complex issues, but we are also experiencing an aging population and a declining workforce. By elevating our achievements, Vermont can attract more workers to ensure a more secure economic future. To do this, we must utilize creative avenues to capitalize on our strengths and promote Vermont as a great place to live, work, and raise a family:

Establish ambassador programs to recruit workers in targeted industries
Build on the successful ThinkVT website and create a comprehensive online toolkit to assist in relocation to Vermont
Expand upon relocation testimonials to create promotional materials highlighting diverse Vermont voices

More information on a strategic approach to elevate Vermont’s achievements to address our declining demographics is available, HERE.

November 17, 2022

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2022 Outstanding Business of The Year Award Announced

June 23, 2023November 17, 2022

2022 Outstanding Business of The Year Award Announced

The Vermont Chamber of Commerce and VermontBiz have announced the recipient of the 2022 Outstanding Business of the Year Award is Hickok & Boardman Insurance Group.

Hickok & Boardman will accept the award at the upcoming Vermont Economic Conference, which will take place on January 30, 2023, at the University of Vermont Dudley H. Davis Center.

The Outstanding Business of the Year Award is presented annually to the Vermont business that demonstrates a commitment to community, workforce well-being, environmental stewardship, and growth in sales or employment. Award recipients have been based in Vermont for at least 10 years.

Hickok & Boardman is a leading broker in Vermont for business and personal property and casualty insurance. Their mission of developing long-term relationships with their clients, employees, and communities has served them well for over two centuries as their business has grown and their client services have expanded.

CEO of Hickok & Boardman, Scott Boardman, said, “With over 200 years of service to Vermonters, our success and longevity are due to the strong relationships formed with our clients and communities, which are forged by our committed employees who embody our mission and values every day. We are honored to receive this award and we look forward to celebrating with the business community in January.”

Vermont Chamber of Commerce President, Betsy Bishop, said, “Hickok & Boardman has been a keystone of the Vermont economy since 1821. Their record of dedication to Vermont as a service provider, employer, and community leader sets a high bar for doing business in Vermont. I know I speak for many when I say we are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to celebrate with the Hickok & Boardman team at the Vermont Economic Conference.”

VermontBiz Publisher, John Boutin, said, “This prestigious award continues the legacy of annually recognizing top Vermont businesses. As a Vermont staple for over two centuries, this recognition for Hickok & Boardman has been a long time coming. We are eagerly awaiting January when we will present the award and celebrate in person.”

November 17, 2022