UVM Medical Center Limits Patient Sitters Amid Budget Cuts, Unions File Cease and Desist
University of Vermont Medical Center in June changed its policy limiting licensed nursing assistants from serving as patient sitters, instead prioritizing remote video monitoring and a capped pool of 17 designated clinical patient safety attendants per shift across 14 inpatient units and the emergency department. Staff unions on August 20 sent a cease and desist letter arguing the change jeopardizes patient safety and interferes with ongoing contract negotiations. The policy shift is part of $140 million in systemwide expense cuts as UVM Health Network faces a projected $14 million loss for fiscal year 2027, driven by lower commercial reimbursement from BlueCross BlueShield and pharmaceutical markup restrictions.
UVM Medical Center is a major safety-net hospital serving Vermont Medicaid beneficiaries, and operational changes driven by commercial payer pressure and pharmaceutical pricing laws can affect staffing models and patient safety protocols applicable to Medicaid managed care enrollees receiving inpatient behavioral health and acute care services.
Behavioral Health · Managed Care
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