Vermont introduces Green Mountain Care benefit package with no cost-sharing requirements

On February 28, 2025, the Vermont State Legislature introduced House Bill 433, a significant piece of legislation aimed at expanding healthcare coverage under the Green Mountain Care program. The bill seeks to eliminate all cost-sharing requirements for a range of essential health services, thereby enhancing access to care for Vermonters.

The primary purpose of House Bill 433 is to establish a comprehensive benefit package that includes not only standard medical services but also preventive dental, vision, and hearing care. Specifically, the bill outlines that in its second year of implementation, the Green Mountain Care benefit package will cover prophylactic dental services—such as two cleaning visits and annual exams—along with one vision exam per year and medically necessary hearing aids. Importantly, the bill stipulates that there will be no co-payments, coinsurance, deductibles, or other cost-sharing requirements for these services, which aims to reduce financial barriers to healthcare access.

As the bill progresses, it is expected to undergo debates regarding its fiscal implications and the potential impact on the state's healthcare system. Critics have raised concerns about the financial sustainability of such an expansive coverage model, questioning how the state will fund these additional services without imposing new taxes or reallocating existing resources. Proponents argue that the long-term benefits of preventive care will ultimately reduce overall healthcare costs by addressing health issues before they require more expensive treatments.

The bill also includes provisions for future expansions of the benefit package, allowing the General Assembly to add services based on recommendations from the Green Mountain Care Board’s Universal Health Care Advisory Group. This flexibility is designed to ensure that the program can adapt to the evolving healthcare needs of the population over the next decade.

House Bill 433 represents a pivotal moment in Vermont's healthcare policy, with the potential to set a precedent for universal healthcare coverage in the United States. As discussions continue, stakeholders from various sectors—including healthcare providers, policymakers, and community advocates—are closely monitoring the bill's progress and its implications for the state's residents. The outcome of this legislation could significantly shape the landscape of healthcare access and affordability in Vermont for years to come.