Rep. Wood: Assessing impacts from shifting federal policies

January 17, 2025  |  By Rep. Theresa Wood

The 2026 session has started off at full tilt! In this report, I will concentrate on efforts to stay abreast of the ever-changing shifting sands at the federal level and what efforts we are making to address some of those issues.

The federal government shutdown in November had a dramatic impact on individuals and families who rely on SNAP assistance (known as 3 Squares in Vermont) to feed themselves and their families. Vermont stepped in during the federal disruption and provided two weeks of financial assistance with state dollars that were specifically set aside for responses to the unknown federal actions. Ultimately, SNAP funds were restored and luckily were funded for the full federal fiscal year, unlike most other things that are under a continuing resolution that expires on Jan. 31.

The federal government recently announced that it was discontinuing nearly $2 billion in funding from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration for mental health and substance use treatment across the country. Vermont’s impact is still being evaluated, but it is expected that community services will be impacted by a loss of approximately $3.5 million.

The federal government also recently announced a change in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendations regarding vaccines – rolling back the number of recommended vaccines, impacting children and adults. The Vermont Department of Health, in concert with the legislature, is in the midst of preparing a response that puts Vermonters’ health at the forefront. H.545 is a bill enabling Vermont to issue its own recommendations based on scientific evidence and national best practices. This will mean that federal and state recommendations may differ. However, what will not differ is that insurance companies and Medicaid will continue to pay for this preventative health care cost. So if H.545 passes, when Vermonters desire to receive vaccines on the Vermont recommended list, they will still be able to access them at no out-of-pocket cost.

As the session progresses, we will continue to adapt the best we can to the shifting sands at the federal level, as well as address education, health care reform, affordability issues, and a myriad of other issues impacting all Vermonters.  

Please feel free to reach out to me at my new legislative email address: Theresa.wood@vtleg.gov.

Rep. Theresa Wood, D-Waterbury, represents the Washington-Chittenden House district, covering Waterbury, Bolton, Huntington and Buels Gore. She chairs the House Human Services Committee.