Vermont <a data-ail="6042726" target="_blank" href="https://www.world-today-news.com/category/health/" >Health</a> Insurance Costs Soar, Leaving Residents Bewildered
Health insurance premiums in Vermont are skyrocketing, far outpacing inflation. Former Montpelier City Council member Rosie Krueger questions where the money is going as residents face rising costs. The average premium in Vermont in 2019 was already about 25% higher than the national average.">
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Vermont Health Insurance Premiums Soar, Leaving Residents Bewildered
Vermont residents are grappling wiht a important surge in health insurance premiums in 2025, a burden that far surpasses the national average. This year, premiums are more than 140% higher than the national average, placing a considerable strain on individuals and families across the state.The situation is particularly challenging for those who receive their health insurance through their employers, as their contributions are the highest in the entire country.
the escalating costs have left many Vermonters, like Rosie Krueger, searching for answers. What began as frustration has evolved into bewilderment as residents struggle to understand why their premiums are skyrocketing. On the surface, it seems counterintuitive, given Vermont’s reputation as one of the healthiest states in the nation.
Vermont consistently ranks near the top in “healthiest state” rankings.” Theoretically, a healthier population should translate to lower healthcare costs. While Vermont does have an aging population, this alone doesn’t fully explain the dramatic spike in premiums.
But if you look at a state like Maine, they’re older than Vermont, and they’re not seeing the same spike. Like they’re seeing the sort of the normal spike. and so if it was just an older population thing,like,that doesn’t really explain it.
Rosie Krueger
Indeed, the average premium for plans on Maine’s marketplace hovers around the national average. In New Hampshire, premiums are even below the national average and have decreased since 2019, further highlighting the anomaly in Vermont.
Krueger’s quest for understanding led her to ask a crucial question:
Why are health insurance premiums increasing so much faster than inflation, and where is all that money going?
Rosie Krueger
This question resonated deeply with many, winning a public vote to become the focus of an episode exploring the issue. while a straightforward answer exists, addressing the underlying problems proves to be a more complex challenge.
High volume, high levels of care, high prices
The healthcare system is notoriously complex, but in Vermont, three main entities play pivotal roles: the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC), Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, and the residents themselves.
The University of Vermont Medical Center, located in Burlington, stands as the largest healthcare provider in the state. “They’re about five times bigger” than the second-largest hospital in Rutland, based on annual budgets. This dominance gives UVMMC significant influence over healthcare costs in the region.
The entrance to the University of Vermont Medical Center’s Fanny Allen Campus. Zoe McDonald/Vermont Public
Vermont Health Insurance Costs Soar: Why Premiums Outpace Inflation
Montpelier, Vt. – Vermonters are grappling with increasingly expensive health insurance premiums, prompting questions about where the money is going. Rosie krueger, a former Montpelier City Council member, noticed this trend during her time in office from 2017 to 2019, when health insurance costs for city employees rose substantially faster than inflation. This financial strain forced challenging budget decisions, diverting funds from other essential community projects. The average premium in Vermont in 2019 was already about 25% higher than the national average, raising concerns about the long-term affordability of healthcare in the state.
The rising cost of health insurance in Vermont has become a major concern for residents and policymakers alike. Rosie Krueger, who served on the Montpelier City Council between 2017 and 2019, experienced firsthand the challenges of budgeting when health insurance costs consistently outpaced inflation.This issue prompted her to ask:
Why does the cost of health insurance keep going up much faster than inflation year after year? Where is all that money going?
Krueger’s experience on the Montpelier City Council highlighted the difficult choices local officials face when trying to balance budgets and provide essential services to their communities.
Budgeting Realities: A Policy Maker’s Dilemma
During her time on the Montpelier City Council, Rosie Krueger envisioned using the city’s budget to enhance the community, including funding much-needed road repairs. She aimed to keep spending increases within the rate of inflation to avoid raising taxes significantly. However,she soon realized that this was unrealistic due to the escalating cost of health insurance for city employees.
Krueger recalls the frustration of having to make tough decisions each year to accommodate the rising cost of health insurance:
as a policy maker,you know,ther’s all these great things that you want to do,but you have to start the conversation every year with,“What are we going to cut in order to just make up for this health insurance cost?”
This constant struggle to balance the budget due to rising health insurance costs has only intensified as Krueger left the City Council.
Rosie Krueger, former Montpelier city Council member, questions the rising cost of health insurance. Josh Crane/Vermont Public
Vermont’s High Premiums: A National Comparison
In 2019, when Rosie Krueger concluded her service on the Montpelier City Council, Vermont’s health insurance premiums were already among the highest in the nation. The average premium on the Vermont marketplace was approximately 25% higher than the national average. This disparity has only widened, placing a notable financial burden on Vermonters.
The average premium in Vermont in 2019 was about 25% higher than the national average.
the Unsettling Reality
the continuous increase in health insurance costs presents a significant challenge for Vermont. As Rosie krueger experienced during her time on the Montpelier City Council, the escalating premiums force difficult budgetary decisions, impacting the ability of local governments to invest in community improvements and essential services. The question remains: what steps can be taken to address this growing financial burden and ensure affordable healthcare for all Vermonters?
Vermont healthcare Showdown: Budget Cuts Spark Outrage at UVM Medical Center
Market Power and pricing Pressures
The university of Vermont (UVM) Medical Center’s dominant position in the state’s healthcare landscape has come under scrutiny as rising costs and potential budget cuts spark community outrage. As the largest healthcare provider in Vermont, UVMMC wields significant market power, influencing pricing and access to care across the region.
Green mountain Care Board Intervention
the Green Mountain Care Board, responsible for regulating healthcare spending in Vermont, has intervened to address the escalating costs. The board’s efforts to control hospital budgets and ensure affordable care have faced resistance from UVMMC, leading to a complex and contentious debate over financial sustainability and service delivery.
UVM Health Network’s Response and Service Cuts
In response to budget pressures and regulatory oversight, the UVM Health network has proposed service cuts, raising concerns about access to essential medical care for Vermonters. These proposed cuts have ignited community outrage and protests, as residents fear the impact on their health and well-being.
Community Outrage and Protests
The proposed service cuts at UVMMC have sparked widespread community outrage,with residents organizing protests and voicing their concerns about the potential impact on healthcare access. The protests highlight the deep-seated anxieties about the future of healthcare in Vermont and the need for enduring solutions.
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Vermont’s healthcare system is navigating a complex landscape of rising costs, regulatory oversight, and the influence of key players. The state’s residents are facing increasing concerns about the affordability of health insurance, prompting scrutiny of hospital pricing and the roles of major institutions. At the center of this dynamic are Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, the Green Mountain Care Board, and hospital networks like the UVM Medical Center, each playing a crucial role in shaping the healthcare experience for Vermonters.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont holds a dominant position in the state’s health insurance market. Recent data indicates that a “whopping 75% of Vermonters with commercial insurance” are insured by Blue Cross Blue Shield, making it a central figure in the financing of healthcare services across the state. This significant market share gives the insurer considerable influence over coverage decisions and reimbursement rates, impacting the financial health of healthcare providers and the accessibility of care for residents.
The bluecross BlueShield of Vermont building in Berlin on Dec. 14, 2024.Photo: Sophie Stephens
The Green Mountain Care Board, established in 2011, serves as the primary regulatory body overseeing both health insurance companies and hospitals in Vermont. The board’s mission is to “keep the prices we pay low and the quality of care we receive high, while maintaining the overall health of, you know, the health care system.” This mandate places the board at the center of efforts to control costs and ensure quality within the state’s healthcare sector.
On Feb. 20, 2025, the Green Mountain Care Board appeared before the House Appropriations committee in the vermont Statehouse. Representative Robin Scheu welcomed the board, stating:
Welcome to the House Appropriations Committee.It is Thursday, Feb. 20, 2025. And we’re delighted this afternoon to have the Green Mountain Care Board with us.
Rep. Robin Scheu, House Appropriations Committee
During this meeting, lawmakers engaged with Owen Foster, the chair of the Green Mountain Care Board. Foster’s background is particularly noteworthy. He is “a lawyer by trade” and previously “prosecuted health care fraud.” His experience extends to significant legal battles within the healthcare industry. He was one of the “leading prosecutors in the case against purdue Pharma,” the company responsible for producing the highly addictive painkiller OxyContin. This case resulted in an $8 billion settlement,highlighting Foster’s commitment to holding healthcare entities accountable.
Owen Foster, chair of the green Mountain Care Board, testifies to state lawmakers at the Statehouse in montpelier on feb. 5, 2025. Photo: Brian stevenson
A Middlebury native, owen Foster was appointed to the Care Board by Gov.Phil Scott in 2022. His appointment signals a focus on rigorous oversight and a commitment to addressing the complex challenges within Vermont’s healthcare system. the February meeting between Owen foster and the Care Board with state lawmakers was focused on the regulators’ annual budget.
The high cost of health insurance in Vermont is a growing concern, with rising hospital prices identified as a significant driver. owen Foster succinctly summarized the problem:
Yeah, that’s easy. Its pharmaceutical prices, it’s hospital prices and it’s increased utilization. I mean, we certainly know what’s driving it.
Josh Crane elaborated on this, explaining:
He was like, it’s simple: Health insurance prices are so high because the thing our health insurance is paying for — the actual health care — has gotten really expensive. And, we as a state are using more of that really expensive thing.
Nationally, hospital prices have outpaced the growth in prices for other essential services. Data indicates that hospital prices have grown faster than prices for child care, housing, and even college tuition. Adding to the concern, vermont’s hospital prices appear to be particularly high. A study by the RAND Corporation revealed that commercially insured patients undergoing outpatient procedures,treatments,or tests in Vermont face costs approximately 11% higher than the national median. This places Vermont among the more expensive states for outpatient healthcare services.
Nationally, hospital prices have grown faster than prices for child care, housing and even college tuition.
Significant price variations exist within the region. While Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in New Hampshire offers similar services at prices slightly below the national benchmark, the UVM Medical Center’s prices are almost 40% higher. These figures are based on data from 2020 through 2022, and prices at UVM have continued to increase as then.
The RAND Corporation analyzed medical claims data from 2020 to 2022. And they found that if you have commercial insurance and get an outpatient procedure, treatment or test done in Vermont, it’ll run you about 11% more than the national median.
The UVM Medical Center attributes its higher prices, in part, to the provision of services that typically operate at a loss, such as dialysis and primary care. Dr. Stephen Leffler, president of the UVM Medical Center, explained this rationale:
Dartmouth doesn’t do dialysis. Dartmouth does less primary care than us, and less of a couple other services.
Josh Crane clarified Dr. Leffler’s statement:
Dr. Stephen Leffler is the president of the UVM Medical Center. So, basically, he’s saying higher prices help UVM balance out those losses — higher prices for things like outpatient services, wich includes care delivered by emergency departments. And emergency departments play an outsized role in Vermont’s health care landscape.
this suggests that higher prices for outpatient services, including emergency department care, help offset the financial losses incurred by providing essential but less profitable services. The prominent role of emergency departments in Vermont’s healthcare system further exacerbates this issue.Vermont’s healthcare system is also facing a significant challenge as emergency departments across the state are experiencing unprecedented backlogs. The University of Vermont (UVM) Medical center, in particular, is feeling the pressure. Dr. stephen Leffler, president of the UVM Medical Center, notes that the emergency department is currently seeing approximately 70,000 patients annually, far exceeding its intended capacity of 40,000. This surge in patients, coupled with a shortage of alternative care options, has created a bottleneck that is impacting the entire system.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of vermont is the dominant health insurance provider in the state, holding a substantial market share. Their decisions regarding coverage and reimbursement rates significantly impact the financial landscape of healthcare for vermonters.
Vermont’s Healthcare System Strained: Overcrowded Emergency Rooms and Budget Cuts Raise Concerns
Vermont’s healthcare system is grappling with significant challenges, including overcrowded emergency departments and recent budget cuts at the UVM Medical Center.In 2022, nearly 75% of all patients at the UVM Medical Center were seen in the emergency department, highlighting an over-reliance on emergency care. Together, the Green Mountain Care Board’s fiscal year 2025 budget review led to mandated reductions in commercial prices, prompting the UVM Health Network to announce cuts to patient services. These issues have sparked widespread concern and debate about healthcare affordability and access across the state.
Dr.Stephen Leffler, president of the University of Vermont Medical Center, pictured in 2020.
Emergency Department Overcapacity
The situation at the UVM Medical Center reflects a statewide trend of emergency departments operating beyond capacity. Healthcare professionals emphasize that the current reliance on emergency rooms to fill gaps in ongoing care is unsustainable. emergency departments, designed for immediate and urgent care, are increasingly used for routine medical needs due to a lack of accessible alternatives.
Dr. Stephen Leffler, president of the UVM Medical Center, recalls the evolution of the emergency department, stating:
When I came back to Vermont in 1993 as a brand new young emergency medicine doctor, our ED at the time saw about 32,000 patients a year.
He further explained the department’s growth and the resulting strain:
And we built that one to see about 40,000 patients. We’re still in that one. And we’re going to see 70,000 patients in our ED this year through the same sized space.
contributing Factors: A Perfect Storm
Several factors contribute to the overcrowding of emergency departments in Vermont. The closure of numerous residential nursing homes has left many individuals with limited long-term care options. Additionally, a shortage of primary care providers means that many Vermonters struggle to access routine medical care, leading them to seek treatment in the emergency room for non-emergency conditions. Owen Foster, Chair of the Green Mountain Care Board, experienced this firsthand, struggling to find a primary care provider for himself for years.
Julie Wasserman, an independent healthcare consultant, describes the situation as a crisis:
I mean we’re in a crisis. We have community-based services crumbling.
She elaborates on the systemic underfunding of essential services:
Whether it’s primary care, mental health, home health, you name it, we have underfunded them for so many years that people are showing up in the ER when, if they had gone to a community-based service, the ER visit could be avoided.
The High Cost of Emergency Care
Emergency departments are equipped to handle a wide range of medical needs,from minor injuries to life-threatening conditions. Though, this advanced level of care comes at a significant cost. Treating minor ailments, such as ankle sprains, in an emergency setting drives up healthcare expenses unnecessarily. Dr. Leffler points out that the UVM Medical Center provides highly specialized care, including heart surgeries and advanced cancer treatments, which contributes to its higher prices.
dr. Leffler explains the breadth of services offered:
we’re going to take care of you if you sprain your ankle or if you need heart surgery or highly advanced cancer care.
Vermont hospital spending has increased by nearly 50% as before the pandemic, representing an increase of $1.6 billion.
Monopoly Concerns and Market Power
Beyond increased spending and specialized care, some experts argue that the UVM Medical Center’s market position contributes to high hospital prices. Alex Garlick, an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Vermont, suggests that the hospital’s “monopoly power” allows it to set prices that the market will bear.
Garlick explains his perspective:
When you only have one major provider serving most of the state, they get to charge the prices they want to charge.
He further elaborates on the limitations of regulatory oversight:
While the Care Board is looking at this as hard as they can, and the insurance companies are trying to limit premiums, ultimately, the price of the services are what matters, and UVM can, UVM Medical Center charges the prices that the market will bear, which are relatively high.
Budget Cuts and Service reductions at UVM Health Network
Adding to the strain on Vermont’s healthcare system, the Green Mountain Care Board’s recent budget review for fiscal year 2025 has led to significant controversy. The board mandated that the UVM Medical center reduce its commercial prices by 1%, a move they justified by stating that the medical center’s budget proposal included “higher than necessary commercial prices.” This decision marked the first time as the board’s creation in 2011 that it mandated a hospital to lower its commercial prices.
In response,the UVM health Network announced cuts to a range of patient services,including reducing the number of patients admitted to the UVM Medical Center,consolidating primary care and rehab clinics,and discontinuing kidney dialysis clinics around the state. Dr. Sunny Eappen, CEO of the UVM Health Network, described these as cuts they were being “forced to make.”
Community Outrage and Protests
The proclamation of these cuts sparked immediate and widespread outrage among patients,lawmakers,and staff across the UVM Health Network. Concerns centered on the impact on some of the state’s most vulnerable residents.
Protests erupted, with community members and healthcare workers voicing their opposition.
stop the cuts! Stop the cuts!
More than 50 health care workers and community members gathered in front of Central Vermont Medical center in Berlin last November to protest proposed cuts to patient services.
The protests included chants expressing the community’s frustration:
Hey hey, ho ho, reverse the cuts they’ve got to go. Hey hey,ho ho,reverse the cuts they’ve got to go. Hey hey, ho ho…
Ultimately, the UVM Health Network decided to continue operating the dialysis centers but proceeded with the other cuts.
Market Dynamics and Regulatory Oversight
According to Alex Garlick, market dynamics significantly influence healthcare costs in Vermont.
And if you look at some of our other peer states in the region, like New hampshire or like Massachusetts, they have competition from their health care providers. There’s no such competition in Vermont, and so there’s very few, there’s very few limits being placed on prices going up from the market to slow it down.
While market forces exert pressure, the Green Mountain Care Board serves as a crucial regulatory body. Josh Crane notes that the board provides some oversight, stating, “Few limits, but not no limits. That’s where the Green Mountain Care Board comes in.”
Alex Garlick emphasizes the importance of the board’s role, stating, “The recent showdown between the Green Mountain care Board and the UVM Medical center is the most significant thing to point at.”
Addressing the Crisis: A Multifaceted Approach
Resolving the emergency department crisis and the financial pressures facing Vermont’s healthcare system requires a thorough approach that addresses the underlying issues contributing to overcrowding,high costs,and budget constraints.This includes increasing access to primary care,expanding community-based services,and addressing the shortage of residential nursing homes. Additionally, policymakers may need to consider measures to promote competition among healthcare providers and regulate hospital pricing.
By addressing these challenges,Vermont can create a more sustainable and equitable healthcare system that meets the needs of all its residents. The ongoing debate highlights the complex interplay between market forces, regulatory oversight, and the financial realities of healthcare provision in Vermont. The decisions made in the coming months will likely have a lasting impact on the state’s healthcare landscape.
vermont’s Healthcare System Grapples with Rising Costs, Potential Insolvency, and Service cuts
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Vermont’s healthcare system is facing a multifaceted crisis, characterized by soaring insurance premiums, the potential insolvency of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, and necessary service cuts at the UVM Health Network. The situation has sparked concern among state officials and residents alike, raising questions about the future of healthcare accessibility and affordability in the Green Mountain State. Outgoing Blue Cross President Don George stated that the company’s premiums “just haven’t been enough for the company to cover the cost of care,” leading to “a dangerously low level” of reserves. the green Mountain Care Board has expressed “serious concerns” about Blue Cross’ ability to remain solvent, contributing to the approval of significant premium increases for 2025.
The UVM Health Network, while reporting a reduction of approximately $40 million in administrative costs over two years, acknowledges that cuts to patient services are still sometimes needed. This comes as the network navigates the complexities of providing comprehensive care in a rural habitat. Stephen Leffler of the UVM Health Network explained the challenges of providing healthcare in a rural state: “In a very rural state, where oftentimes the volume of service is lower than what would be optimal to break even, we have to have some give and take.” This “give and take” often translates to difficult decisions about resource allocation and service availability.
Leffler addressed the allocation of the $86 million earned from operations last year, emphasizing the need to reinvest in facilities, equipment, and personnel. He highlighted the critical balance between providing care and maintaining a sustainable business model. “It’s very, very critically significant in any kind of business—and healthcare is both, the important thing is we take care of people, but it is indeed a business in some ways—is we have to have money left at the end of the year to reinvest in the people that work here, in the tools and equipment we use to take care of you, to upgrade and keep it new and current, and to keep our facilities new and modern,” Leffler stated. This reinvestment is seen as essential for ensuring the long-term viability of the healthcare system.
However, the reinvestment strategy has faced scrutiny. Reinvesting in people included bonuses for executives last year, a decision UVM said was based on national benchmarks. This comes as Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont paid out about a third more in claims in 2023 than in 2022,and reported paying out more in claims last October than any other single month in the company’s history. The significant increase in claims payouts underscores the growing financial pressures on the insurance provider.
The potential insolvency of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont is a major concern. Owen Foster of the Green Mountain Care Board highlighted the severity of the situation, stating, “People can’t pay it. And yet, if you don’t, Blue Cross faces very serious insolvency, very serious. And if they go bankrupt,that is Armageddon.” The collapse of the state’s largest health insurer would have far-reaching consequences for Vermonters, possibly disrupting access to care and destabilizing the entire healthcare market.
Adding to the concern, the rising costs are not necessarily translating to better care. When Rep. Woodman Page from Orleans County asked, “Is our health care getting any better?” Foster responded, “But no. No. It’s not.” This stark assessment raises questions about the value Vermonters are receiving for their healthcare dollars.
Foster emphasized the importance of prioritizing local healthcare options, including emergency care, urgent care, primary care, mental health, and long-term care. He also noted the challenges in controlling various aspects of healthcare costs, stating, “What can you control? We can’t control pharmaceutical prices today… Then second, you have hospital utilization… Fourth, you have hospital price. That’s the one you can control.Right? And that’s not all of the problem here but that is a problem in this state. Our hospital prices are too high.” Controlling hospital prices is seen as a key step in addressing the affordability crisis.
Green Mountain Care Board members David Murman and Owen Foster testify to state lawmakers on Feb. 5, 2025.(Brian Stevenson/Vermont Public)
Foster acknowledged the difficult choices ahead, stating, “Right now, my view is you’re in a state, we are in a state, where we need to identify what’s really at risk and then make priorities as to what we need to maintain and ensure we have. You’re going to be losing services. There’s no sugarcoating it.” This grim outlook suggests that vermonters may face reduced access to certain healthcare services in the near future.
The impact of rising healthcare costs is already being felt in local communities. Rosie Krueger, a concerned Vermonter, highlighted the impact of rising healthcare costs on local communities, noting that Montpelier may have to cut staff and services due to increasing health insurance premiums. “As a Vermonter, I see things happening like our homelessness crisis, and I really want to do something about it,” Krueger said. The rising cost of healthcare is diverting resources from other critical areas, exacerbating existing social problems.
Adding to the financial strain, Vermont schools are also facing a significant challenge as health insurance premiums are set to rise by nearly 12%. This increase is poised to place considerable strain on already tight school budgets, potentially impacting resources available for educational programs and staff. Krueger emphasized the widespread impact of these rising costs, stating, I don’t know that everybody realizes that when we’re having a conversation about how much property taxes are going up as of school budgets, what a huge portion of it is indeed just the fact that health insurance is going up so much so the same amount of employees cost you way more every single year. This underscores the direct link between rising health insurance costs, school budgets, and ultimately, property taxes for Vermont residents.
The situation in Vermont reflects a broader trend of increasing healthcare costs nationwide.Several factors contribute to Vermont’s high premiums, including high hospital costs, increased utilization of healthcare services, and the dominance of a few key players in the market. nationally, hospital prices have risen faster than other essential goods and services. In Vermont, the University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC) has prices significantly higher than the national average and even compared to similar facilities in neighboring states. The high cost of services like dialysis and primary care at UVMMC contributes to increased overall costs.
vermont’s healthcare system faces significant challenges, with rising costs, potential insurance company insolvency, and the prospect of service reductions. The state is grappling with how to balance affordability, access, and quality of care in a sustainable manner.With Town Meeting Day approaching, property tax increases and healthcare affordability will likely be key concerns for Vermonters. The coming months will be critical as state leaders and stakeholders work to find solutions to address this growing crisis.
This HTML provides several news articles focusing on the dramatic increase in Vermont’s health insurance premiums. Here’s a summary of the key points across all articles:
Core Problem:Health insurance premiums in Vermont are substantially higher than the national average (over 140% higher in 2025, and 25% higher in 2019), far exceeding inflation rates. This is straining residents and causing budget problems for municipalities like Montpelier.
Key Players and Thier Roles:
University of Vermont Medical Center (UVMMC): The largest healthcare provider in Vermont, wielding critically important market power. its high prices are a major contributing factor to the high insurance premiums. They argue that their higher prices offset losses from services like dialysis and primary care,which are provided at below-cost rates. They are also facing scrutiny and potential budget cuts from the Green Mountain Care Board, leading to community outrage and protests over potential service cuts.
Blue Cross Blue shield of Vermont: Holds a dominant position (75% market share) in the state’s health insurance market. Their pricing and coverage decisions heavily influence the affordability of health insurance for Vermonters.
Green Mountain Care Board: The state’s regulatory body overseeing healthcare spending. They are attempting to control hospital budgets and insurance prices, but face resistance from UVMMC and are working to understand and solve the drivers of increasing healthcare costs. Their chair, Owen Foster, a former healthcare fraud prosecutor, is focused on accountability.
Rosie Krueger: A former Montpelier City Council member, who highlights the significant budgetary challenges faced by municipalities due to the soaring health insurance costs for city employees. Her experience underscores the real-world impact of rising premiums on local communities.
Residents of Vermont: They are directly impacted by the unaffordable health insurance premiums. They are actively expressing their concerns through protests and calls for solutions.
Contributing Factors:
High hospital prices: Vermont’s hospital prices,notably at UVMMC,are significantly higher than the national average,even compared to similar facilities in neighboring states like New Hampshire. This is a key driver of increased insurance premiums.
Increased utilization: Increased use of healthcare services is also contributing to the rise in overall costs.
Pharmaceutical prices: While not the main focus, pharmaceutical costs are mentioned as a factor in the overall healthcare cost increases.
Aging population (partially explained): While Vermont has an aging population,this doesn’t fully account for the dramatic premium increases compared to similarly aged populations in othre states.
Consequences:
Budget cuts: Municipalities are forced to make budget cuts to services to cover rising health insurance costs for employees.
Community outrage and protests: Potential service cuts at UVMMC have led to considerable public backlash.
unaffordable healthcare: Vermonters face significant financial strain due to health insurance premiums that far exceed the national average.
Overall: The articles paint a picture of a complex and challenging situation where the high cost of healthcare in Vermont, driven largely by high hospital prices, is impacting the affordability of health insurance for residents and creating budgetary difficulties for local governments. The Green Mountain Care Board is attempting regulatory intervention, but faces significant obstacles in balancing the need for cost control with the provision of quality healthcare.
