Media Coverage
Vermont is talking about Green Mountain Care. Read the latest media coverage on the family of programs making it possible for uninsured Vermonters to have access to coverage.
If you are a member of the media looking to report on Green Mountain Care, please contact Susan Besio at (802) 828-0566 or susan.besio@state.vt.us.
Backers say Catamount Health will reduce health care costs
Vermont Public Radio, December 10, 2007
It's a busy morning at the Bridge Street Café in Richmond. Dozens of people are ordering breakfast and getting refills of coffee. Ben Wang has stopped by the Café. He's 36 years old and doesn't have health insurance. Ben is a part time instructor at the Community College of Vermont and is working to start his own business teaching English in foreign countries.
He was covered under his wife's policy but several months ago they had to drop the coverage when she closed her business - if they had continued the policy it would have consumed one third of their income. Wang has applied for Catamount because he says trying to get by without health insurance coverage is a too much of a gamble. Full Text
Vermont tops rankings of healthy states
USA Today, November 4, 2007
After four consecutive years of being crowned the healthiest state, Minnesota dropped to No. 2 behind Vermont for the title this year, according to a report released Monday by the United Health Foundation, a non-profit health advocacy group.
The foundation, along with the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention, rated each state on 20 key measures of wellness, such as rates of obesity, infant mortality, cancer deaths and high school graduation.
Vermont has a low prevalence of obesity, a low rate of preventable hospitalizations and few children living in poverty, according to the report. Full Text
State launches health insurance campaign
Burlington Free Press, November 2, 2007
A new state-sponsored television advertisement targets Vermonters who think they don't need health insurance with a message: Don't be so sure.
"Look at me, I'm healthy as a horse," declares a farmer confidently from the television screen, while behind him a horse that had been grazing in a pasture suddenly collapses.
The ad advises the 65,416 Vermonters who don't have health insurance -- because they think they can't afford it or believe they are invincible -- to check out the state's array of free and low-cost options, collectively called Green Mountain Care. The newest option under the Green Mountain Care umbrella is Catamount Health, which began screening participants Oct. 1. Full Text
State unveils health care ads
Rutland Herald, November 2, 2007
Officials agree when it comes to helping all Vermonters have affordable health insurance, the state's new Green Mountain Care brand of government services is a good first step.
What's the next? On Thursday, Gov. James Douglas and state legislative leaders, gathered in Rutland for a press conference, weren't speaking from the same script.
Douglas, House Speaker Gaye Symington and other state officials announced the start of a $1.6 million marketing campaign for Green Mountain Care, a newly named group of free and low-cost services including the long-existing Dr. Dynasaur program for children, the Vermont Health Access Plan for adults and new Catamount health insurance for residents without coverage. Full Text
State starts new push to reach uninsured
Associated Press / Bennington Banner, November 2, 2007
Eager to help uninsured Vermonters, the state launched a new push Thursday get them the state-subsidized health care coverage that many qualify for but aren't getting.
With a blitz of newspaper, TV and online ads, the state is packaging the programs under the title "Green Mountain Care" in the hope that those who delay or avoid going to the doctor for lack of insurance will sign up. Full Text
Covering the uninsured
WCAX.com, November 1, 2007
A new ad campaign is hitting the airwaves in Vermont that promotes the importance of health insurance. Familiar faces from across the region gathered to get the first look. The initiative, called Green Mountain Care, is an umbrella program that contains existing coverage options like Medicaid and Dr. Dynasaur-- and a new option called Catamount Health. All are focused at changing the poor health practices of the uninsured.
"So they are going to delay care, they are going to postpone care, they are going to delay buying that prescription, getting that preventive care and in the end, they will be less healthy, they will die prematurely, and be less productive, so in the end, we all lose," said Dr. Harry Chen. Full Text
New options for Vermonters without health insurance; Gov. says it's 'a very good deal'
WPTV.com, November 1, 2007
At different times in her working life, Jackie Bombardier has lived without health insurance. The restaurant cook at JR's Eatery in Pittsford winced at the thought.
"It's awful," she said. "You get bills you can't possibly pay. Then what are you supposed to do? You know?"
State officials say they understand. At a news conference packed with health care workers and advocates at the Rutland Regional Medical Center Thursday morning, Republican Gov. Jim Douglas, Vermont House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) and a bipartisan group of state legislators unveiled a new campaign to encourage citizens to sign up for coverage. The new and existing state-sponsored health plans are now rebranded 'Green Mountain Care' officials said. Full Text
Enrollment in Catamount Health begins
Burlington Free Press, October 6, 2007
Pam Jumper of Fairfax hopes her husband is exactly the person the state wants to help with the Catamount Health insurance program, which was launched quietly this week.
Jumper, 39, can access health insurance coverage for herself through her employer, Sports and Fitness Edge of Essex. Her cost is about $100 a month, she said. The couple also pay premiums -- $40 a month -- to cover their 6-year-old daughter under the state's Dr. Dynasaur program. Full Text
State quietly launches new health care program
Associated Press, October 6, 2007
The state has begun accepting applications for its new Catamount Health program, designed to provide insurance to an estimated 65,000 Vermonters currently without it.
State officials believe about half the 65,000 uninsured are eligible for traditional state-subsidized health programs including Medicaid. The remainder have incomes too high for Medicaid, but not high enough to bring private health insurance within reach. Full Text
Vermont expands health coverage
WCAX News, September 19, 2007
Vermont's attempt to cover the uninsured with comprehensive health insurance is due to take effect Nov. 1. And state leaders are trying to get the message out that people who could not afford health insurance before may find it much more affordable, now that the state will have a program that subsidizes the cost of health insurance premiums. Full Text
State preparing to sign people up for new public health plan
Associated Press, September 10, 2007
The state of Vermont is gearing up to implement the Catamount Health public insurance plan. People eligible for the program without health insurance will be able to start signing up Oct. 1, and coverage begins Nov. 1. Full Text
