2023 Legislative Session Recap
2023 Legislative Session Recap
Cathedral Square’s top three legislative priorities fared well after a tumultuous end to the 2023 legislative session. Increases include Medicaid reimbursement rates and the Vermont Housing & Conservation Board (VHCB) base budget, plus one-time funding to continue the SASH for All pilot and invest in housing production and rehabilitation. None of these priorities would have been realized without working with partner organizations through coalitions such as the Long-Term Care Crisis Coalition, the Vermont Housing and Conservation Coalition, and the Vermont Affordable Housing Coalition, to name a few. Legislators heard us and we are grateful for their action, especially recognizing the extreme fragility of the long-term care system and need for immediate payment increases as an important first step.
Also of note is that legislative leaders came to an agreement with each other and the Governor’s Office to extend the motel housing program through April 2024 to provide more time for the state and community provider network to find suitable housing options for those that would have been exited out of motel housing on July 1.
Summary of investments in Cathedral Square's 2023 priorities:
- Substantial Medicaid Rate increase for Assisted Living – 79% increase for Assistive Community Care Services (ACCS) and 4% increase for Enhanced Residential Care (ERC) payments.
- Substantial Investment in Affordable Housing – $25.2M to Vermont Housing and Conservation Board in base budget and $41M one-time funding with a heavy emphasis on homelessness response.
- SASH for All pilot programs funded to continue for year two.
Summer and fall are a great time to reach out to your representatives and thank them for their hard work during the legislative session. This also ensures that our issues are top of mind for them going into the coming session! Below are links to help you find out who your representatives are and how to contact them. Here is some sample language to get you started:
"Thank you for prioritizing investments in long-term care, affordable housing, and SASH during the 2023 legislative session! Safe, affordable housing is essential for health, community prosperity, and economic, social, and racial equity. For older adults and people with disabilities, supportive housing – housing where support and services are provided right where they live – is crucial as well."
Contact your Vermont state legislators:
- Find your state legislators and how to contact them here.
Contact your members of Congress: