Key Challenges and Proposed Reforms
Vermont's aging population has made its health care system increasingly unsustainable. Private health insurance premiums are among the highest and fastest-growing in the country, and many hospitals and clinics operate at a loss. Appointments for primary and specialty care are scarce. The consultant's report offered a series of recommendations to address these issues.Lawmakers are now working on legislation to simplify the approval process for new health care facilities, which is notoriously costly and time-consuming. Sen. Lyons is leading this effort with another senator. She also plans to examine the compatibility of hospitals' and clinics' electronic medical records systems and may introduce a bill to start the discussion.
Rep. Lori Houghton, the outgoing chair of the House Health Care Committee, mentioned that emergency medical services will be a focus in the upcoming session. Some reforms are already in process, such as those signed by Gov. Phil Scott last spring. However, there is still more work to be done to make the transformation quicker.
Hospital and Health System Perspectives
Devon Green, a lobbyist for the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, supports many of the proposals from Lyons and Houghton. She emphasized that hospitals are already making changes in response to the report and want to work in partnership with other healthcare providers and state leaders.Despite the efforts, not all of the consultancy's recommendations are being considered. Some proposals, such as limiting hospital billing and ending certain procedures, are outside the Legislature's purview or would lead to intense battles.
Regulatory and Cost Considerations
Sen. Lyons also wants to reexamine health care regulation in the state, echoing a bill she backed in the 2024 session. She believes there is a need to address regulatory gaps and clarify who is in charge of what. As the cost of health care continues to rise, lawmakers need to assess the effectiveness of earlier initiatives.Houghton agreed that there is little the Legislature can do in the short term to make care and insurance more affordable. However, a concerted effort is needed to understand how existing programs are working and make necessary adjustments.
VTDigger, a nonprofit newsroom, relies on donations to continue its work. Only 2% of its readers contribute, and a $15 gift could make a significant difference. We encourage our readers to support VTDigger and keep it as Vermont's most trusted in-depth news source.Honoring Bob Sehring's Contributions
OSF HealthCare Ministries chairperson Sister Agnes Joseph Williams expressed deep gratitude for Sehring's extraordinary contributions. "Under his leadership, our Ministry has reached remarkable milestones. Through strategic growth via mergers and acquisitions, we now serve 17 communities with hospitals. Last year, we provided care to over 1 million patients, demonstrating unwavering strength during the pandemic and its aftermath. Our oncology services have advanced significantly, with the opening of the OSF HealthCare Cancer Institute in Peoria earlier this year. And his unwavering commitment to rural healthcare has been truly inspiring," she said.Sehring joined OSF in 2002 as vice president for business support services for OSF HealthPlans, Inc. and was promoted to chief executive officer in 2004. His leadership journey continued with appointments as chief Ministry Services officer in 2013 and chief executive officer of the Central Region in 2015. Finally, he became the CEO in 2017. "Serving the sacred Ministry of OSF HealthCare has been a profound blessing in my life. The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis have always served as a guiding light, ensuring we strive to serve every person with the utmost care and love. I have full confidence that Michelle will lead the Ministry with a focus on providing compassionate and advanced care to our communities in the years to come," Sehring said.Michelle Conger's Ascent to Leadership
Michelle Conger will assume the role of OSF HealthCare president in January 2025 and succeed Sehring as CEO upon his retirement. Her impact on the Ministry has been extensive, leading strategic and innovative approaches to keep OSF at the forefront of healthcare delivery. "Her leadership and dedication to operational excellence will ensure the continued success of our Ministry," Williams added.Conger began her career at OSF in 1993 in a clinical capacity and as a Six Sigma Black Belt at Peoria's OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center. Since 2010, she has been the chief strategy officer, and since 2018, she has served as the chief executive officer of OSF OnCall Digital Health. "I am truly honored for the trust the Sisters and Bob are placing in me as the next CEO. OSF HealthCare has thrived under Bob's leadership, and I look forward to our continued collaboration to advance healthcare for the communities we serve. As healthcare continues to evolve, we will prioritize ensuring OSF is a leader in meeting the expectations of our patients and advancing clinical excellence," Conger said.See photos:Inside OSF’s new Cancer Institute in PeoriaUnparalleled Barossa Valley Winemaking on the Global Stage
Winter Edition Triumphs
The Barossa winery was honored with a Grand Gold Medal for its 100 Year Old Vines Shiraz 2021 during the winter edition. Additionally, it received Gold Medals for 12 other wines, including the 50 Year Old Vines Shiraz 2021, 50 Year Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2021, and wines from various collections like Grand Barossa, Terroirs of the Barossa, and The Château. These medals showcase the winery's exceptional quality and craftsmanship.
The 100 Year Old Vines Shiraz 2021 stands out with its rich flavors and complexity, representing the legacy of the Barossa Valley's ancient vines. The 50 Year Old Vines Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 also impresses with its depth and character, a testament to the winery's ability to extract the best from mature vines.
Summer Edition Glories
At the latest summer edition, the Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, Grand Barossa Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2023, and Terroirs of the Barossa Eden Valley Shiraz 2022 (along with two export-only wines) were all awarded Gold Medals. These medals further solidify Château Tanunda's position as a leading producer.
The Grand Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2022, crafted from selected vineyard sites across the Barossa, exhibits a quintessential Barossa Cabernet Sauvignon profile. Aged in a combination of new and seasoned French oak for 18 months, it develops a palate of blackcurrant and vanilla with vibrant red fruits.
The Grand Barossa Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2023 is a medium-bodied red that undergoes aging in a combination of seasoned French and American oak for 18 months. This results in a wine with lifted aromas of black cherry and raspberry, along with a palate of dark berries and a hint of white pepper.
International Recognition and Mission
These international accolades support Château Tanunda's mission to champion the global recognition of fine Australian wines. Focused on the storytelling of the Barossa Valley's rare old vines and rich winemaking industry, the winery uses its status to promote Australia's premium wine sector both locally and overseas.
Family member and managing director Michelle Geber expressed pride, saying, "We are so honored to be named as Australia's Best Still Wine Producer at the Berliner Wine Trophy for the 14th time here at Château Tanunda. We are proud to share the premium Australian wine story with our global wine markets and to receive such an accolade, let alone so consecutively, is a testament to the quality of Barossa wines on the international stage."
About the Berliner Wine Trophy
Established in 2004, the Berliner Wine Trophy is renowned as Germany's most important international wine challenge. It is jointly held by the International Union of Oenologists (UIOE) and the International Organisation for Vine and Wine (OIV). The competition is held twice a year, in winter and summer, with over 14,000 wines from 40 countries entering each time.
Wines are blind-tasted by a jury of experts including oenologists, sommeliers, Masters of Wine, growers, traders, wine critics, and journalists in Berlin. Each entry is judged using the 100-point score system. Notably, the Berliner Wine Trophy was the first to implement the 30 per cent rule, where only the top 30 per cent of products (according to OIV standards) are awarded a medal, emphasizing the significance of these accolades.