Health Care

We have both a cost problem and a systemic fragility problem in our health care system. The costs of providing health care, especially at hospitals, are too high. This, and demographics, drive our insurance rates up. Both are some of the highest in the country. In addition, too many people are going to the ER instead of addressing issues early with their primary care physician. Preventative care is the cheapest care.

The health care system is notoriously complicated, interconnected with federal policies, and driven by mis-incentives. It is really a sick care system, not a health care system. But there are many smart, committed people working to address these challenges in Vermont.

Affordable and accessible - these have been the guiding principles for Democrats’ work on health care. In this past legislative biennium, we can point to ten bills enacted into law that, together, help reduce costs, address workforce shortages, and improve timely access to medical care across the state.

The gains by the legislature ran into a brick wall (veto), however, on a vitally important bill that would have had an immediate impact on insurance premiums for school employees – therefore impacting property taxes across Vermont – and those on Vermont Health Connect who faced a crippling rise in premiums after the Trump administration stripped away subsidies. (S.190)

Here is an outline of our health care bills:

2025:

• Act 21 (S.27): Bans medical debt from credit reports, bans wage garnishment for medical bills, requires hospitals to provide free care for patients under 250% of the federal poverty level, and created a $1 million fund to buy and eliminate $100 million of Vermonters’ medical debt.

• Act 68 (S.126): Took direct aim at Vermont's runaway hospital prices by capping what hospitals can charge in relation to Medicare rates, striking at the true root cause of the state's sky-high insurance premiums. (Set reference base pricing in motion, implementation will begin next year.)

• Act 55 (H.266): Brought fairness to the prices hospitals could charge for outpatient prescription drugs — having the immediate effect of reducing insurance premiums for many Vermonters 3-4% in 2026.

• Act 2 (H.35): Supported Vermont’s small businesses by unmerging individual and small-group insurance markets — ending years of small businesses unfairly subsidizing individual premiums and helping stabilize costs for both groups.

2026:

Act 132 (H.577): Recognizing the often crippling cost of prescription drugs, this legislation brought ArrayRx to Vermont, a free, discount prescription drug program available to ALL Vermonters. It is expected that ArrayRx will save Vermonters millions of dollars by providing significant discounts on both generic and brand-name medications.

To broaden access to qualified care, cut down on wait times, and lower cost we acted in several other ways . . .

•  A new law that allows pharmacists to test and prescribe medications for certain common conditions and HIV prevention. Act 119 (H.588)

• We’ve broadened the role of physician assistants and advanced practice registered nurses in hospital care. Act 92 (S.163)

• Specially trained psychologists will now be able to prescribe medications for mental health treatment. Act 84 (H.237)

• We’ve created a pathway for internationally trained physicians to become licensed in Vermont. Act 172 (S.142)

• Action was taken to cut red tape, implement payment reforms, and reduce administrative burdens – all to lay a stronger foundation for a more sustainable system. Act 173 (S.197)

Many of the impacts of these bills haven't started taking affect. However, there is a tremendous amount more work to do in order to get to an affordable and equitable system. Our hospitals are fragile, services are being cut, and many hard choices will need to be made. For instance, Vermonters may have to drive farther for specialty services in order to keep their primary hospital viable.

We will work hard to keep the vision of a sustainable and equitable health care system that promotes better health outcomes for Vermonters in our sights.

To look up any of these bills, go here.

Be well,

Chris Morrow

Morrowforvt@gmail.com

www.morrow4vt.com