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House rejects amendment to H.585; bill passes after contentious roll call on health‑share transparency
Summary
An amendment to remove Section 10 (reporting requirements for health‑care sharing plans) failed on a roll call (26 yes, 104 no); the House later passed H.585, a multi‑part health insurance reform bill that includes transparency/reporting provisions for health‑share plans.
Representative Harvey (member from Castleton) offered an amendment striking Section 10 of H.585, which would remove reporting requirements for health‑care sharing plans. He argued the section raised constitutional and definitional concerns and urged a study before imposing reporting obligations. "I would posit the body is the right outcome," the member said in urging the amendment.
Members opposing the amendment, including the presenter for the Health Care Committee, said Section 10 is narrow consumer‑protection transparency and does not ban sharing plans. The Appropriations reporter told the chamber DFR (Department of Financial Regulation) does not have comprehensive information on how many of these plans operate in Vermont and that reporting would allow better oversight and protect consumers. On the roll call for the amendment the clerk recorded 26 yes and 104 no; the amendment failed.
After debate and a recorded roll call on the amendment, the House proceeded to third reading of H.585. By voice vote the House passed H.585 as presented on the calendar. Supporters described the package as increasing transparency and regulatory tools; critics emphasized constitutional and definitional questions around faith‑based or voluntary sharing arrangements.
Next steps: H.585 passed the House and will proceed according to legislative process for concurrence with the Senate or final enrollment.
