Vermont Business Magazine House Democrats introduced H.721, a bill that will make health insurance more affordable by expanding Dr. Dynasaur and would support Vermonters of all ages who are struggling to pay for and access health care. The bill would expand Medicaid eligibility, especially in regard to income, while extending the traditional age limit to 26, like the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare).
“People shouldn’t have to choose between their health and their wallets,” said Representative Lori Houghton, chair of the House Committee on Health Care and the bill’s lead sponsor. “This bill is about putting affordable health care back where it belongs — in the hands of every Vermonter. H.721 is a significant stride toward addressing the pressing challenge of health care affordability.”
The bill will examine Medicaid programs that serve Vermonters throughout their lives, from prenatal care through childhood, adolescence, adulthood, pregnancy and into old age.
“For too many years our health care reform efforts have focused on systems, not people,” said Senator Ruth Hardy, co-sponsor of the Senate companion bill. “This legislation would bring the focus back to Vermonters by expanding access to comprehensive health care for thousands of people who are struggling to afford a visit to their doctor. It would do for health care what we did for child care — build on an already successful program and make it more sustainable, affordable, and accessible.”
“We often hear from people who are surprised that their costs went up when they turned 65 and became eligible for Medicare,” said Mike Fisher, Chief Health Care Advocate for the State of Vermont. “These costs are particularly hard for women, people of color and people with a disability who have not had fair wages throughout their careers. At the very least, it is time for us to make sure these Vermonters have a reasonable shot at affording the care they need as they move out of the workforce and into retirement.”
Key highlights of the bill include:
- Expansion of Dr. Dynasaur: Extending Dr. Dynasaur coverage from age 19 to 26, aligning it with current commercial insurance standards.
- Mental health treatment for traumatized youth: ensuring youth covered by Dr. Dynasaur can receive mental health treatment without a formal diagnosis.
- Gradual expansion of Medicaid eligibility: gradually expanding income level eligibility for Vermont Medicaid, increasing affordability to low and middle-income Vermonters.
- Affordability for older Vermonters: expanding income level eligibility for Vermonters transitioning from Medicaid to Medicare.
- Reimbursement rate increase: increasing reimbursement rates for Medicaid providers to enhance capacity to provide essential care to Vermonters.
The bill is sponsored by more than 80 members of the House of Representatives, including Democrats, Progressives, Republicans, and Independents. The House Committee on Health Care is scheduled to start testimony on the bill on January 12. Senators Ruth Hardy and Virginia Lyons introduced a companion bill in the Senate (S.240).
Source: MONTPELIER, VT — 1.12.2023. Speaker of the House.
