Now that Governor Shumlin no longer supports a single-payer health plan under current economic conditions, opponents of that and the state's health care exchange are calling for the state to undo its own plan and piggyback onto the federal exchange. They say Vermont Health Connect is still unworkable for many Vermonters and that there is no end in sight to the skyrocketing cost of the VHC. Led by Representative Patti Komline (R-Dorset), and joined by colleagues from across the political spectrum, they are calling for Vermont to transition VHC to a federal-state exchange partnership.
Representative Patti Komline on the floor of the House just prior to the Shumlin-Milne vote January 8, 2015. VBM photo
“For years, I have expressed my frustration with the way the (Shumlin) Administration proposed and enacted the health insurance exchange,” said Komline. “And, I have brought to the table several options that would have helped make the exchange work for Vermonters.”
“While none of those proposals were supported by the Administration because of their insistence on creating a single-payer health care system, now that that option is off the table, it is time to make the Exchange work," she said.
Specifically, Komline, Representatives Heidi Scheuermann (R-Stowe), Representatives Jim Condon (D-Colchester), and Representatives Adam Greshin (I-Warren) are calling for the transition of Vermont Health Connect to a Supported State-Based Marketplace Exchange.
“Clearly Vermont Health Connect has been troubled from the beginning,” added Condon. “From the initial rollout of the website, to the suspension of the website, and even now to the thousands of Vermonters who are still in limbo with regard to change of circumstances, this proposal would allow Vermont to return its focus to health care in general and the products being offered, rather than the IT boondoggle we’re in the midst of.”
“After months of similar failures of the state exchange in Oregon, state leaders there saw the wisdom of cutting their losses and transitioning to a 'Supported State-Based Marketplace Exchange', and it has worked,” added Scheuermann. “We have been digging the VHC hole long enough. It is time to admit our failures and stop digging.”
“Vermonters are frustrated, and deserve better from us,” said Greshin. “They deserve an Exchange that works. I hope our colleagues from across the political spectrum will join us in advocating for this reform."
“The bottom line is that this kind of partnership would provide for the federal government to run the technical aspects of the Vermont Exchange, while maintaining our exchange products, our insurance coverage mandates, and the subsidies Vermonters receive to assist in the cost of the insurance products,” concluded Komline. “It is a win-win-win.”
Bill To be Submitted for Introduction Today (Note: This electronic version has Komline-Scheuermann as sponsors. The actual bill as submitted has Komline-Scheuermann-Condon-Greshin):
Introduced by Representatives Komline of Dorset and Scheuermann of Stowe
Referred to Committee on
Date:
Subject: Health; health insurance; Vermont Health Benefit Exchange; supported State-based model
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to direct the Secretary of Administration or designee to develop a plan to transition the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange from a fully State-based exchange to a supported State-based marketplace exchange.
An act relating to developing a supported State-based marketplace exchange
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
Sec. 1. SUPPORTED STATE-BASED MARKETPLACE EXCHANGE;
TRANSITION PLAN
On or before March 31, 2015, the Secretary of Administration or designee shall provide to the General Assembly a plan for the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange to transition from a fully State-based exchange to a supported State‑based marketplace exchange similar to those already implemented or in the transition process in Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, and Oregon.
Sec. 2. EFFECTIVE DATE
This act shall take effect on passage.