Health Care Reform Commission

Recommendations for 2008 Legislative Session

Summary of Major Changes to 11/20/07 Draft

I. Introduction

• Clarified the strategic context for the recommendations
• Acknowledged the significance of the ongoing challenge to reduce rate of increase of medical costs

II. Recommendations

A.   Expand Affordable Coverage to More Vermonters  

       Under-insured

·        Added requirement that one of the benefit design options be equivalent to Catamount Health

·        Dropped estimate of range of savings from the wellness disease management programs

·        Dropped reduction in provider payments as an approach to reducing premiums

·        Added cost estimate for broader use of Section 125 plans:  approximately $1 million/yr for 10,000 people

     Uninsured: no changes

B.   Improve the Prevention of Chronic Illness by Reducing Obesity

·        Clarified lead role of Vermont Department of Public Health

C.   Reduce rate of increase in costs while improving the health of Vermonters 

• Control hospital budgets: Added consideration of elements of H304 such as hospital global budgets and restructuring of financing
• Changes in state administrative and regulatory requirements: Added  Vermont Medical Society support for  legislation that establishes Fair Trade Standards for Health Insurance Companies

D.   Use IT as a catalyst for reform                                                             

·        Revised language about the assessment of  Electronic prescribing                                     

·        Clarified VITL legislation language

E.    What investments do we need to make in the capacity of Vermont’s health care delivery system to ensure success in health care reform?

• Clarified language regarding enhanced oversight of changes in licensing and professional scope of practice and the criteria used in the process