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Read. Follow. Verify.Vermont bill creates study committee to evaluate public option high-deductible health plan
Last action · January 29, 2026: Read first time and referred to the Committee on Health CareSponsor: Michael Boutin
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What This Bill Would Do
Vermont lawmakers introduced a bill to establish a study committee that will evaluate the feasibility of creating a , administered by private insurers and paired with a . The plan would initially cover public employees, allow voluntary buy-ins for other groups, and require participating insurers to operate a statewide price comparison tool. A report and draft legislation for a pilot program are due by January 15, 2027.
The measure sets in motion a formal state-level evaluation of a new health insurance model that could eventually change coverage options and premium structures for public employees, small businesses, and individual participants while imposing new price transparency rules on medical facilities.
Who It Would Affect
Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.
public employees
Public employees would be the initial participants in the proposed health insurance plan and would be subject to plan design, premium contributions, and cost-sharing rules.
small businesses
Small businesses would be eligible for a premium tax credit for a portion of the employer share of premiums if they offer the public option plan.
hospitals and health care facilities
Hospitals, other health care facilities, and independent medical practices would be required to publicly disclose their prices and facility fees.
Key Facts
- Establishes a study committee to evaluate a public option, high-deductible health insurance plan administered by private insurers and eligible for health savings accounts.
- Starts plan participation with public employees, with subsequent voluntary buy-in allowed for other groups.
- Caps provider reimbursements at 10 to 15 percent above Medicare rates, allowing potential higher rates in rural areas.
- Requires the study committee to analyze actuarial models, solvency projections, insurer contracting, single risk pool integration, premium stabilization, and federal waivers.
Show all 9 facts
- Directs the study committee to submit a report and draft legislation for a pilot program on or before January 15, 2027.
- Requires administering health insurers to operate a statewide comparison tool showing prices, quality metrics, and other information.
- Allows unpaid plan balances to be treated as public debts recoverable via State tax refund intercepts, wage withholding, property liens, and collections processes.
- Establishes premium tax credits for small businesses offering the public option and creates a premium stabilization fund using existing assessments, reinsurance, and federal pass-through funds.
- Requires hospitals, health care facilities, and independent medical practices to publicly disclose their prices and facility fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who would be covered first under the proposed public option plan?
What is the deadline for the study committee to report its findings?
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News Coverage
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Votes, people, money & the original sourceWhere This Stands
Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.
Procedural history
1 action- Jan 29, 2026HouseIntroducedRead first time and referred to the Committee on Health Care
Version history
Only one version on file - nothing to compare yet. As later stages (committee substitute, engrossed, enrolled) are captured, the redline appears here.
View official text →Lobbying Activity
No state lobbying filings in our records match this bill. Federal lobbying reports (LDA) cover Congress, so they are not listed on state bills.
Full breakdown
Who this bill affects and the strongest case for and against it, written only from the bill’s own text.
Sponsors
Connected Entities
Sources
legislature.vermont.gov
Analysis Score
0–100- Significance55How much this matters to a regular citizen
- Controversy60Intensity of disagreement among stakeholders
- Entertainment10Compellingness for a non-policy-wonk reader
- Buzz35Current news / social attention level
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