VAHHS: Legislative update - key races and upcoming Medicaid changes

State Races: Governor Phil Scott takes a historic sixth governorship. The Democrats regain their super majority in both the House and the Senate. The Democrats have largely run on Universal Primary Care while the Scott Administration has promoted restructuring health insurance plans. This sets up an interesting tension in the legislature that is not mutually exclusive.

Federal Races: Representative Becca Balint easily retained her seat in the House. With Democrats taking control of the House and the Senate, there will be consequential leadership opportunities, including Senator Bernie Sanders back as Chair of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee. Most importantly, Democrats are now positioned to rectify some of the most damaging pieces of H.R.1, such as the elimination of health insurance subsidies and requirements designed to kick people off of Medicaid coverage.

Vermont Health Connect and Medicaid:

Despite the election results, most H.R. 1 Medicaid changes are going into effect on January 1, 2027. Learn more and spread the word about the work requirement, six-month renewal requirement, decrease in retroactive coverage, and elimination of Medicaid coverage or subsidies for some immigrants. The more people who know about these changes and what the Department of Vermont Health Access is doing about them, the more we can help!

You will find a ton of resources for the Medicaid changes, here: https://dvha.vermont.gov/medicaid-changes If you have questions about whether the changes impact you or a certain individual: https://dvha.vermont.gov/medicaid-work-requirements-screening-tool For informational posters and cards: https://dvha.vermont.gov/medicaid-changes/communications-toolkit Also, it’s open enrollment time on Vermont Health Connect! Click here for more information and to sign up for health care coverage. Sign up by December 15th for coverage by January 1st.

Throughout the debates, various policy proposals, and implementation of H.R.1, it’s clear to me that Vermonters of all political stripes care about creating quality health care coverage that’s more affordable for all Vermonters. VAHHS is here for it.

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VAHHS: Legislative update - key races and upcoming Medicaid changes

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