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House advances H.721 to expand Medicaid eligibility for young adults, pregnant people and low‑income seniors
Summary
The House amended H.721, the 'Medicaid Expansion Act of 2024,' to broaden Medicaid (referred to in floor debate as 'Doctor Dinosaur') to include young adults up to age 21, raise pregnancy coverage to 312% of the federal poverty level and expand the Medicare Savings Program for low‑income seniors; the Ways and Means revenue package and appropriations tie‑ins were approved and a roll‑call recorded 92–39 to amend the committee report.
The House took major steps on healthcare policy when members amended H.721, the Medicaid Expansion Act of 2024, advancing changes to eligibility and state support for low‑income Vermonters.
Representative Houghton (member from Essex Junction), speaking for the Healthcare Committee, said the bill would extend Medicaid coverage for young adults up to age 21 and raise pregnancy coverage from 208% to 312% of the federal poverty level, estimating about 657 additional pregnant individuals would gain access to prenatal and postnatal care in the first year. "H.721 expands access to Doctor Dinosaur to young adults up to 21 years of age," Houghton said during second reading.
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