Marketplace just came out with a great story explaining the dental access crisis in Vermont and the proven potential of dental therapy to improve oral health care in the state. It’s pretty exciting to be getting national coverage on such a critical issue, especially as we inch closer to the 2016 legislative session. Speaking with …
Access to oral health care received a boost recently, after the Commission on Dental Accreditation (CODA) voted to set national standards and accreditation processes of dental therapy education programs. As VPIRG and the Vermont Oral Health Care For All Coalition gear up to bring S.20- a bill that allows dental therapists to practice in Vermont– …
National Action Expands Dental Care and Occupational Opportunities Read More »
Last week the Supreme Court issued a landmark decision in King v. Burwell that further codified the Affordable Care Act (ACA) as the law of the land. At stake in this case was if states that chose not to operate their own insurance marketplaces would be able to provide insurance subsidies to low and middle …
Court Reaffirms Affordable Care Act as the Law of the Land Read More »
VPIRG was able to pass substantial legislation in the first half of the 2015-2016 legislative biennium and lay the groundwork for even more gains next year. We cracked through on long overdue reforms to our electoral system – including a vigorous new lobbyist disclosure law and the institution of Election Day voter registration. We ushered …
Earlier this week the Green Mountain Care Board announced that Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBSVT) and MVP Health Care (MVP) filed proposed premium hikes of 8.4% and 3% respectively for 2016 Vermont Health Connect Plans. The proposed rate increases will now be reviewed by the Green Mountain Care Board in a process known as “rate …
Green Mountain Care Board Accepting Comments on Proposed Premium Hikes Read More »
Before closing out the 2015 legislative session, lawmakers came to agreement on a health care reform package that moved forward important reform policy, and made necessary financial investments. The three million dollar package that passed the legislature is a shadow of the 90 million dollars originally proposed in the governor’s budget address, but it does …
Legislature passes health care reform bill in the last hours of 2015 session Read More »
This commentary originally ran in the Times Argus on May 1. We have an oral health crisis in Vermont. Thousands of Vermonters go without needed dental care every single year — in 2011 and 2012, nearly 100,000 people didn’t get care. And, if you live in Vermont and you get your dental insurance through Medicaid …
Today, S.20, a bill that allows dental therapists to practice in Vermont, passed the Senate floor on an 18 – 8 vote. This legislation, sponsored by Sen. Claire Ayer (D-Addison), Sen. Michael Sirotkin (D-Chittenden), and Sen. Jeanette White (D-Windham), will increase access to affordable, quality dental care for all Vermonters. Sponsor and Chair of the Government …
Legislation to Improve Access to Dental Care for All Passes Senate Floor Read More »
This week the Government Operations Committee voted 4-1 to pass legislation to allow mid-level dental providers (called dental therapists) to expand the dental team in Vermont. The Committee took testimony a wide range of stakeholders including advocates, and oral health professionals from across the country. Some of the most compelling testimony came on Tuesday afternoon …
Government Operations Committee Passes Bill to Expand Access to Dental Care Read More »
This week the House Health Care Committee took decisive action to make health care in Vermont more affordable, accessible, and equitable. The Committee voted 7-2-2 to fund a wide-sweeping package of health care reform initiatives, funded with a 0.3% payroll tax and a two cent-per-ounce tax on sugary drinks. One of the most notable initiatives …
House Health Care passes expansive health reform bill Read More »
