Vermont Nurse Practitioners Need your Voice!

Dear Nurse Practitioners,

By now, many of you have heard that Vermont has received over $195 million from CMS. One of the largest per-capita allocations in the nation through the Rural Health Transformation Grant. This unprecedented investment presents a critical opportunity to shape the future of health care delivery across our state, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

It is imperative that nurse practitioners continue to have a seat at the table and a strong voice in how these funds are allocated and implemented. The Vermont Nurse Practitioners Association (VNPA) is serving as that collective voice. Currently, VNPA holds seats on five key state workgroups that are being used as data-gathering and planning tables to inform funding decisions, program development, and implementation strategies.

These funds come with significant requirements, including defined timelines, detailed plans, and measurable outcomes that must be met before dollars are released. This is precisely where nurse practitioners excel. We are uniquely positioned to demonstrate how NP-led care improves access, strengthens rural health systems, and delivers high-quality, cost-effective care for Vermonters.

This is our moment to lead.

If you are not yet a member of VNPA, now is the time to join. VNPA is actively advocating to ensure nurse practitioners are eligible for and included in rural health transformation funding. We are at the table—every day—advancing policies that support NP practice, patient access, and health system sustainability.

Membership: Join VNPA

Equally important, we want to hear from you. VNPA is a volunteer-led organization comprised of nurse practitioners who are practicing on the front lines while also supporting and advocating for our profession statewide. Your lived experience informs our advocacy and strengthens our impact.

On the legislative front, VNPA is currently tracking more than 15 bills in the Vermont House and Senate. We have already testified in support of two bills and anticipate providing additional testimony in the coming weeks as legislation continues to move forward.

As we represent nurse practitioners across all practice settings in Vermont, we invite you to join us for Joint Legislative Days:

• Monday, February 2, beginning at 12:00 PM, at the Capital Plaza in Montpelier
• Tuesday, February 3, at the State House, meeting directly with legislators and elected leaders

Nurses and nurse practitioners will also be formally recognized on the House floor on Tuesday, February 3, by Representative McFaun. We strongly encourage you to register and participate alongside colleagues from the Vermont Nurse Practitioners Association, the Vermont Nurses Association, and the Emergency Nurses Association of Vermont.

Registration: -legislative-hill-day-2026-registration

Together, our collective voice matters. Thank you for the care you provide every day—and for standing with VNPA as we advocate for the future of nurse practitioner practice in Vermont.

Respectfully,
Michelle Wade, APRN, President, Vermont Nurse Practitioners Association