Press Release: Vermont Senate Faces Deadline on Health Care Bill Amid Controversy Over Drug Price Caps
Montpelier, VT – The Vermont Senate is grappling with significant changes to a health care cost-reduction bill just as the legislative session approaches its end. The bill, originally designed to limit outpatient pharmaceutical prices, encountered a last-minute amendment that could complicate its passage.
On Thursday, senators voted 20-10 to push back the start date for capping outpatient drug prices from the proposed July 1 to January. This alteration now creates a disconnect with the House’s version of the bill, which aims to limit costs to 130% of the average sales price this summer and further reduce it to 120% by January 2026.
Advocates, including Sen. Ruth Hardy, claim that implementing these caps could lead to immediate reductions in health insurance premiums, potentially lowering increases for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont by several percentage points. Jessica Holmes from the Green Mountain Care Board highlighted the cap as a crucial measure to relieve financial burdens on Vermont’s sickest patients.
Conversely, opponents, including representatives from the Vermont Association of Hospitals and Health Systems, have expressed concerns that the price caps could result in severe financial losses for healthcare providers. Northwestern Medical Center’s CEO warned that the new regulations could force hospital closures and service cuts.
As the Senate’s amendment heads back to the House for review, time is of the essence. The legislative session is set to close imminently, leaving leaders with little room for maneuver as vital health care reforms hang in the balance. With differing perspectives on the legislation’s potential impacts, the fate of this key initiative remains uncertain.
For further developments on this issue, please stay tuned.
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