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Health care advocates warn Vermont system ‘on the precipice,’ point to hospital costs and insurer stress
Summary
Office of the Health Care Advocate officials told a legislative committee the state’s health care financing system is under severe stress, citing hospital price levels, insurer solvency warnings and the prospect of large premium increases; they urged consideration of provider rate setting and coordinated action.
Mike Fisher, chief of the Office of the Health Care Advocate, told a legislative committee on Jan. 16 that Vermont’s health care financing system is under deep strain and requires policy action to prevent facility closures and large cost hikes.
Fisher said Vermont is approaching a tipping point: “I fear that we are really on the precipice of that,” he said, describing sustained pressure from high prices at hospitals and across the system. He said the pressures show up in insurers’ financial statements and bond‑rating actions and warned the state cannot rely on a new federal funding stream to rescue the system.
Fisher and other legislators cited specific warning signs. Fisher referenced a…
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