Op-Eds
Read what state leaders and others have to say about Green Mountain Care and the coverage it’s providing to uninsured Vermonters.
For media inquiries, please contact Susan Besio at (802) 828-0566 or susan.besio@state.vt.us.
Affordable Options for the Uninsured
Official Website for Jim Douglas, November 21, 2007
By Governor Jim Douglas
Over the last several years of working to expand affordable health coverage in our state, it has been my privilege to work with a remarkable, focused coalition of Vermonters who share my commitment to making health care accessible to everyone.
Many of us spent countless hours working on the passage and implementation of the 2006 Health Care Affordability Act—a landmark health care bill that focuses on containing health care costs for everyone in our state and insuring the uninsured. The passing of this bill, containing the most far reaching health care reforms in the country, was a major step forward for our state. It also demonstrated that when we come together, in a bipartisan manner, we can make a real difference in the everyday life of Vermonters. Full Text
Why Vermont is the healthiest state
Burlington Free Press, November 15, 2007
By Sharon Moffatt, Vermont commissioner of health
Vermont is the healthiest state, according to the 2007 edition of America’s Health Rankings. Vermonters should be proud of this achievement. But it’s worth examining these rankings closely to determine what it really means. Why is our state’s population the healthiest when the U.S. is experiencing more obesity, more uninsured people, more children in poverty, and persistent tobacco use and violent crime?
America’s Health Rankings: A Call to Action for People & Their Communities is the 18th edition of the annual report by the United Health Foundation, American Public Health Association, and Partnership for Prevention – all leaders in public health and national health analysis. Vermont moved up, from 16th in 1990 to second in 2006 to its current lead position, ranking among the top 10 healthiest states in 14 of 20 health measures. Full Text
Editorial: Catamount is just the beginning
Rutland Herald, November 4, 2007
Some Vermonters previously without health insurance began to receive coverage on Nov. 1 when the state's new Catamount Health program went into effect.
The program received a celebratory kickoff on Thursday with Gov. James Douglas and other officials gathering in Rutland to mark the day. But Vermont's new health care initiative involves more than Catamount. Full Text
Back to Top
It's time to sign up for health care
Rutland Herald, August 23, 2007
By Karen Glade, RN
It seems that too many of us have the high price of health care on our minds.
In Vermont more than 60,000 of our friends, co-workers and neighbors are currently uninsured. Here in Rutland County, more than 5,600 people do not have health insurance. Thousands more of our neighbors throughout Vermont have insurance, but can only afford high $2,000, $5,000 and even $10,000 deductible "catastrophic" plans, many of which offer no hospitalization or primary care coverage. Of those who qualify for VHAP or other Vermont Medicaid programs, roughly 51 percent have not taken advantage of this coverage.
As a first step to alleviate this crisis gripping Vermonters (and indirectly, Vermont business owners), in May 2006 the Vermont Legislature created the Catamount Health Plan. You are eligible for Catamount Health if you are uninsured or have insurance that only provides hospital care or doctors' visits (but not both) or if you have not had insurance for the past 12 months. If you had health insurance but lost it due to voluntary loss of job, divorce, high school or college graduation, or reaching the end of your COBRA coverage, you are eligible. Full Text
With reform program, Vermont faces up to health care realities
Rutland Herald and Times Argus, June 10, 2007
By Rep. Harry Chen
Health care policymakers around the country are paying attention to a recently published study, "Mirror Mirror On The Wall: An International Update On the Comparative Performance of American Health Care," updating the original report published in 2004 by the Commonwealth Fund. As in 2004, the United States fared last when compared to Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. The United States was last in access to care, patient safety, efficiency and equity. Most discouraging is that we failed to achieve better health outcomes despite spending twice as much per capita.
Last year the Vermont Legislature passed the Health Care Reform Acts of 2006, a landmark step in health care reform. All told there were more than 30 initiatives that together will transform our health care system for every Vermonter. This year the important work continues with technical adjustments to ensure success and extensive preparation for the roll out of Catamount Health this fall. This summer and fall we will begin taking on the major challenge of figuring out how to expand coverage and limit costs for the thousands of Vermonters who pay too much for their insurance and yet are under-insured. Full Text (Subscription Required)
