Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands access to medicaid and Dr. Dynasaur in Vermont.

Highlights:

• Increases eligibility for the Dr. Dynasaur program and for Dr. Dynasaur-like coverage to include income-eligible young adults up to 26 years of age who meet a certain eligibility thresholds
  (Sec. 1). 

• Increases the income eligibility thresholds for adults in the Medicaid program over time until they reach the same level as Dr. Dynasaur (Sec. 1). 

• Require increased reimbursement rates to providers for delivering primary care, mental health, substance use disorder treatment, long-term care, and dental service to medicare beneficiaries in Vermont (Sec. 1). 

• Amends the appointments to and duties of the Clinical Utilization Review Board and increases the income eligibility thresholds for Medicare Savings Programs (Sec. 1). 

• Requires Dr. Dynasaur to cover mental health services for children and young adults without a specific diagnosis if they have faced certain adverse life experiences (Sec. 1). 

• Authorizes the Agency of Human Service to design a proposal for a public option for small businesses to use to purchase health coverage for their employees and require the Agency to propose a schedule of sliding-scale cost-sharing requirements for the Medicaid program

• Requires the Agency to recommend modifications to specialty care reimbursement rates and to report on potential changes to the structure of Vermont’s health insurance markets (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text