Lawmakers are reconsidering the philosophical and religious exemption to the childhood immunization law in the face of a rise in pertussis (whooping cough) cases. They’re also set to discuss the contentious end-of-life bill next week. VPR’s Bob Kinzel talks with Peter Biello about the week in legislative news.
Thousands
of middle income Vermonters could see their health care costs spike when a
new federal exchange goes into place in 2014. A group of advocates is urging the Legislature to
create a special state subsidy program to make up the difference.
Health
Care advocates are concerned that a provision of the new federal
health
care law could jeopardize the financial stability of Vermont’s Catamount
Health Care program.
The federal government has agreed to help Vermont subsidize a state health insurance program. Governor
Jim Douglas says the federal payments should save the state about $9 million over the next two years.
Vermont’s Health Care Reform Commission is getting ready to assess some of the key components of ‘Catamount Health Care’ – that’s the program that provides coverage to uninsured Vermonters.
More
people have health coverage in Vermont as the state has rolled out new programs aimed at
covering the uninsured. But
a new survey shows that cost remains a major barrier, despite state subsidies
of insurance premiums.
Vermonters enrolled in Catamount Health Care
have received some good news. The two
insurance companies that administer the program both say their premiums will
remain stable for the next few months.