Current Vermont insurance issues as of February 2010Vermont insurance issues of affordability and availability are handled as you might expect in a state known for liberalism and Birkenstocks.
When you think of Vermont, you think of extremely progressive politics but you also think of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and they combine to be a mixed bag as a predictor of how this state will do in various health categories. Since Vermont is considered the healthiest state in the country, you have to figure that Ben and Jerry's must not depend too much on in-state sales. It ranks 7th in prevalence of obesity, 2nd in public health funding, 5th in primary care physicians, 3rd in premature deaths, 4th in impoverished children, 5th in infectious disease. The rare failing is 37th in binge drinking, which you must assume that residents of this state are doing to celebrate how healthy they are. Vermont has something called guaranteed-issue insurance which means that it makes coverage available to all residents at the same premium regardless of health history through its program, Catamount Health. This program was established in 2006 state legislation which spelled out a committment to improving care for those with chronic illnesses. Concerns still remain with this program in its efficiency, how much it helps the underinsured and how it meshes with Medicaid. Even so, given the state's current health ranking, there's not much arguing with results.
Do you have a different opinion of health coverage in this state?Health coverage policies and laws obviously can change. If your experience with getting health coverage is different than what is written above, or if you just want to share your experiences with health coverage, please feel free. |