Vermont Legislative Victories Strengthen Health Care for All

In May 2006, The Vermont Campaign for Healthcare Security, a universal coverage campaign built by America's Agenda and our in-state partners, won enactment of "Catamount Health," the most far-reaching healthcare reform legislation enacted, to date, by any state in America. Catamount assures affordable access to high quality healthcare for every uninsured resident in the state. In May 2008, The Vermont Campaign took bold steps forward toward its goal of guaranteeing "Catamount for All" by winning enactment of three important expansions to Catamount Health:

Expansion #1: All pre-existing conditions exclusions have been eliminated for a six-month trial period. "It's a model for the future of healthcare in Vermont and all of America," says Campaign Executive Director Peter Sterling. "If the trial is successful, we expect our legislators will make it permanent."

Expansion #2: An amendment to Catamount health allows all Vermonters with very high-deductible insurance plans (deductibles of $10,000 or more) to immediately convert their coverage to the low-deducible Catamount plan, which offers a sliding scale of premium subsidies based on income.

Expansion #3: The 12-month waiting period for enrollment in Catamount by others who voluntarily drop their current coverage has been reduced by state law to 6 months. (This change is pending federal approval.)

Catamount Health already eliminates all deductibles and co-pays for patients receiving treatment for chronic diseases. "We're tearing down all the economic barriers preventing Vermonters from getting the healthcare they need," Sterling points out. "We believe this should be a guiding principle for the healthcare reform America needs."