Feds drop probe of Vermont’s visiting nurse firms

By Shay Totten | Vermont Guardian

posted November 23, 2005

WASHINGTON — Citing a new state law that promises to provide stronger oversight of home health providers, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Wednesday it was ending its antitrust investigation into Vermont’s 12 nonprofit home health agencies.

An official with the organization that represents the visiting nurse agencies (VNAs) was very pleased with the outcome.

“We’re thrilled. It was a year ago last week when we all received our letters [from the DOJ announcing the investigation],” said Peter Cobb, executive director of the Vermont Assembly of Home Health Agencies.

Vermont’s Home Health Act of 2005 establishes “territories” for each home health agency, similar to how utilities are granted monopoly status in various regions of the state. The new law also gives the Department of Aging and Independent Living (DAIL) the power to review these territories every four years.

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