26 V.S.A. § 1397: Participating health care facilities [Effective July 1, 2028]

(a) As used in this section:

(1) “Health care facility” means a hospital, federally qualified health center, or community health center.

(2) “Participating health care facility” means a health care facility that meets the requirements of this section and has the capacity to provide an assessment and evaluation program designed in accordance with rules adopted by the Board pursuant to section 1396 of this chapter to evaluate an internationally trained physician holding a provisional license issued pursuant to subdivision 1391(g)(1) of this chapter.

(b) In order to be eligible to be a participating health care facility for purposes of subdivision 1391(g)(1) and section 1396 of this chapter, a health care facility shall:

(1) agree to provide medical mentoring, evaluation, assessment, and support in navigating the U.S. health care system by one or more fully licensed physicians employed by the health care facility to a provisionally licensed physician using an evaluation and assessment system that meets the standards established by the Board by rule pursuant to section 1396 of this chapter;

(2) ensure that the mentoring, evaluation, assessment, and support of a provisionally licensed physician is provided by one or more physicians who are licensed under chapter 33 of this title or this chapter and who are physically located in Vermont and that the provisionally licensed physician provides services only to patients physically located in Vermont;

(3) carry medical malpractice insurance covering the provisionally licensed physician for the duration of that physician’s employment by the participating health care facility; and

(4) not retaliate against or discipline a provisionally licensed physician for making a complaint or pursuing enforcement of an employment-related claim.