Healthcare

introduced · Vermont · House Feb 12, 2025

H 207: An act relating to health insurance coverage for diabetes treatment

H.207 requires health insurers in Vermont to cover all diabetes treatments (including equipment, supplies, and self-management education) without restricting providers to those under contract with the insurer. It also prohibits cost-sharing like copays or deductibles for these covered services. The bill applies to all standard health insurance plans issued on or after January 1, 2026, directly affecting Vermont residents with diabetes who have health insurance. It modifies existing law to ensure comprehensive, affordable access to diabetes care by eliminating insurer-imposed provider restrictions and cost barriers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates full diabetes treatment coverage without cost-sharing or provider restrictions, expanding patient access and benefits under healthcare coverage policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Prescription Drugs

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 7, 2025

H 163: An act relating to workers' compensation

This bill updates Vermont's workers' compensation system by expanding wage definitions to include health insurance benefits, requiring employers to cover translation services for non-English speaking injured workers, and creating a process for requesting medical case management services. Insurers must approve or deny medical case management requests within 14 days, with injured workers able to seek Department intervention if denied. It also increases penalties for late payments, charging 5% of the benefit amount for the first late payment, escalating to 25% for fifth or subsequent late payments. The changes directly affect injured workers (especially non-English speakers), employers, and insurance carriers, aiming to improve access to care and timely compensation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands health insurance coverage in workers' comp wage definitions, mandates translation services for non-English speakers, and requires timely medical case management approvals, improving access to healthcare services for injured workers.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands wage definitions to include health insurance, requires translation services for injured workers, mandates insurer response timelines for medical case management, and increases penalties for late payments - strengthening worker protections ...95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Workers' Compensation

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introduced · Vermont · House May 21, 2025

H 521: An act relating to health insurance coverage for donated human breast milk

H 521 proposes to mandate that health insurance plans and the Dr. Dynasaur program provide coverage for pasteurized donated human breast milk. This coverage would be for infants under 12 months of age. The bill specifies that this coverage would apply under certain circumstances, though the full details are not included in this short-form version.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for donated breast milk, expanding infant health benefits and access to medical nutrition services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 4, 2025

H 140: An act relating to the provision of grants for community nurses and community care coordinators working in collaboration with municipalities

H.140 creates a state grant program to fund community nurses and care coordinators working with Vermont municipalities, primarily benefiting rural residents with complex health needs. Municipalities can apply for grants up to $10,000 annually to establish or expand these programs, requiring clear financial management, legislative approval, and plans for long-term funding. The bill appropriates $200,000 annually starting in fiscal year 2026 to support this initiative, aiming to improve health outcomes and reduce overuse of hospitals. The program will take effect on July 1, 2025, with grants administered by the Department of Health.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $200,000 annually for community health grants, funding a new state program under budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates $200,000 annual grant program to fund community nurses and care coordinators, improving rural healthcare access and services.95% confidence

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introduced · Vermont · House Jan 23, 2025

H 69: An act relating to reporting on adverse reactions related to immunizations

H 69 requires Vermont health care providers to report significant side effects after vaccinations (even if unsure if the vaccine caused them) to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System. The Vermont Department of Health must then annually report to the legislature by January 15, including total adverse reactions, breakdowns by vaccine type/lot/age, emergency visits, hospitalizations, and support for compensation claims under federal law. This report will be posted online and shared with providers. The bill affects health care practitioners administering vaccines and the Department of Health, taking effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mandatory reporting of vaccine adverse reactions to improve public health monitoring and transparency, strengthening vaccine safety oversight within healthcare systems.92% confidence

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introduced · Vermont · Senate Feb 5, 2025

S 49: An act relating to protecting the privacy of individuals seeking reproductive health care services

This bill prohibits using geofencing technology within 1,850 feet of reproductive health care facilities to track or target patients, and bans law enforcement from obtaining "reverse keyword warrants" that identify people searching online for reproductive health services. It directly affects individuals seeking reproductive care (by protecting their location and search privacy), health care facilities (by restricting surveillance near their locations), and law enforcement (by banning specific surveillance methods). Key provisions include banning location-based tracking via apps or devices, preventing targeted messaging to patients near clinics, and prohibiting government entities from seeking warrants based on online search terms related to reproductive health. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, with violations punishable by up to $500 per offense.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient privacy for reproductive healthcare access, directly advancing patient rights and access to healthcare services per bill's prohibitions on surveillance and tracking near facilities.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBans geofencing and reverse keyword warrants tracking reproductive health seekers, restricting surveillance technology use to protect privacy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Women's Health Tags Privacy

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introduced · Vermont · House Feb 19, 2025

H 267: An act relating to the Vermont Hospital Security Plan

H 267 establishes the Vermont Hospital Security Plan, creating a state-administered program to provide hospital coverage for all Vermont residents regardless of insurance status or ability to pay. The plan requires hospitals to accept the state's negotiated annual payments (based on global budgets) for services provided to all patients, prevents balance billing for Vermont residents beyond set cost-sharing amounts, and includes out-of-state hospital coverage for Vermont residents. Key mechanisms include annual global hospital budgets limiting cost growth to the Consumer Price Index plus 3.5%, a dedicated trust fund financed by state transfers and federal Medicaid/Medicare funds, and appeal processes for denied claims. This directly affects Vermont residents seeking hospital care and Vermont hospitals receiving state payments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates state-administered hospital funding program with global budgets, directly allocating state resources for healthcare coverage as essential public service.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates universal hospital coverage for all Vermont residents, prevents balance billing, and ensures access regardless of insurance status or ability to pay.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid Medicare

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passed · Vermont · Senate Mar 26, 2026

S 154: An act relating to health insurance coverage for biomarker testing

Senate Bill S 154 requires health insurance plans and Vermont's Medicaid program to provide coverage for biomarker testing. This testing analyzes a patient's samples to identify biological characteristics relevant to a disease or condition. Coverage is mandated for the diagnosis, treatment, management, and ongoing monitoring of a patient's disease. Such coverage is required when the test is supported by medical and scientific evidence, including FDA approvals, Medicare/Medicaid determinations, or nationally recognized clinical practice guidelines. The bill also specifies that coverage should be provided in a way that minimizes disruptions to patient care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for biomarker testing, expanding patient access to diagnostic services supported by medical evidence and FDA approvals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Medicare

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signed · Vermont · House Jun 13, 2025

H 209: An act relating to intranasal epinephrine in schools

This bill allows Vermont schools to maintain a stock supply of epinephrine auto-injectors (like EpiPens) for emergency use. It authorizes trained school staff, not just nurses, to administer the medication during severe allergic reactions - regardless of whether the individual has a personal prescription - following established protocols. Schools must develop written allergy management plans with parents, train staff on recognizing and responding to reactions, and adopt policies for allergen prevention and emergency procedures. The law provides legal immunity for staff administering epinephrine in good faith, and it takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill establishes school safety protocols for emergency allergic reactions, directly supporting student health and safety in K-12 educational environments through stock epinephrine access and staff training.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows schools to stock epinephrine and train non-nurse staff to administer it for severe allergic reactions, improving emergency access to life-saving treatment without personal prescriptions.95% confidence

signed · Vermont · House Apr 24, 2025

H 80: An act relating to the Office of the Health Care Advocate

H.80 strengthens the Office of the Health Care Advocate (OHCA) by clarifying its role as an independent voice for Vermonters promoting access to affordable health care. The bill expands the OHCA's ability to advocate for consumers in health insurance rate reviews and certificate of need applications by allowing it to submit questions, comments, and provide testimony to the Green Mountain Care Board. It also updates the OHCA's duties, which include assisting Vermonters with health insurance plan selection, understanding their rights, filing complaints, and facilitating public input on health care policies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareStrengthens OHCA to advocate for affordable care access and consumer rights in insurance rate reviews, expanding its role in health insurance oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance