Pulling the Curtain Back on Health Insurers
April 26, 2012
The health insurance fog is about to lift.
S.200, VPIRG’s signature health reform initiative this year, sailed through the Senate and got even stronger in the House. The bill would force health insurance companies to pull the curtain back on claims denial, profit, and influence. Information is power and S.200 is key to ensuring that Vermonters are being treated fairly and that our premiums dollars are spent on care, not to pad the bottom line of the health insurance industry.…
Health Care Justice Prevails in Montpelier
April 25, 2012
Vermonters won two big health care victories in the State House this week.
The big health reform bill (H.559) passed the Senate by a vote of 20-7. The bill lays the groundwork for Vermont’s health insurance exchange, a requirement of the federal Health Care Law, and moves us one step closer to a health care system that is both universal and affordable. We’re in the home stretch! The bill now heads to the final stage of lawmaking: a “conference committee” comprised of House and Senate members who will work out the differences of House and Senate versions of the bill and secure final passage.…
‘Cliffs Notes’ on Supreme Court Hearings
April 4, 2012
Health Care was big news last week, from the Supreme Court to the Vermont Legislature. With all the coverage and endless political commentary, it can be hard to get a sense of what’s really going on. Here are the ‘Cliffs Notes’ to help decode the latest happenings in Vermont and Washington D.C.
Denied Claims Bill on to Senate Floor
March 23, 2012
Thanks to all of the calls and emails of VPIRG members and other activists, we are one step closer to requiring Vermont’s health insurers to provide detailed data to the state on the claims they deny. The Senate Health & Welfare committee unanimously passed the denied claims bill (S.200) last week prior to the looming “crossover” deadline on March 16.
Vermont House Passes Health Reform Bill (H.559)
February 27, 2012
On Friday afternoon, after two days of grueling debate, the Vermont House of Representatives passed the health reform bill (H.559) with a vote of 88-38. The legislation marks the next big step towards high quality, affordable health care for every Vermonter.
Second Health Care Webinar Draws 100 Small Businesses
February 14, 2012
Co-sponsored by the Small Business Majority, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility (VBSR) and the Vermont Public Interest Research Group (VPIRG), Tuesday’s webinar featured presentations from members of the Green Mountain Care Board, prominent Vermont small business owners and representatives from the State of Vermont Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities & Health Care Administration (BISCHA).
Over 200 Individuals Participate in VPIRG’s Interactive Health Care Webinar
February 9, 2012
Over 200 people from 6 different states took part in VPIRG’s interactive health care webinar Health Reform 2012 – What’s Next and Why it Matters on Tuesday, February 7th. A recording of this event is available for download at VPIRG’s Health Care Action Center at www.vpirg.org/hcaction.
The event brought top state experts on health care reform together, including Dr. Karen Hein of the Green Mountain Care Board, Chair of the House Committee on Health Care Mike Fisher, VPIRG’s Health Care Advocate Cassandra Gekas and Governor Peter Shumlin, to explain the next steps moving forward in Vermont’s path toward accessible, patient-centered, affordable health care for all.…
Bills to Watch in 2012 – Health Care
January 10, 2012
Our advocates are following these bills and we’ll keep you posted on opportunities to take action. Find the bill language by clicking the title.
Legislative Preview: What’s on the Docket for 2012?
January 3, 2012
We continue to work toward building a clean, renewable, reliable energy future for our state. VPIRG is working to pass a bill ensuring that a greater portion of your electricity comes from renewable sources. And, with 50% of Vermont’s electricity already coming from clean energy sources like solar, wind, and hydropower, our goal, of an additional 30% more by 2025, is well within our reach.
Health Care Experts Come to Morrisville
December 14, 2011
Speaker of the House Shap Smith and Representative Peter Peltz hosted our Morrisville health care forum on December 13th, hailed by many who attended as a huge success. An expert panel comprised of BISHCA Commissioner Steve Kimbell, incoming Chair of the House Health Care Committee Mike Fisher and Chair of the Senate Committee on Appropriations Jane Kitchel were on hand to answer attendees questions about health care reform in Vermont.