An act relating to eligibility for Dr. Dynasaur for young adults up to 26 years of age

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Martine Gulick and 3 co-sponsors

Expands Dr. Dynasaur eligibility to all Vermont residents up to age 26 with income at or below 312% of the federal poverty level, effective July 1, 2025.

Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Finance

Purpose and intent

Expands eligibility for Dr. Dynasaur, Vermont’s health coverage program for low- and moderate-income residents, to include all Vermont residents up to 26 years old with income at or below 312% of the federal poverty level (FPL).

The bill aims to ensure young adults up to age 26 can access Dr. Dynasaur/Medicaid-SCHIP coverage, aligning eligibility with broader young-adult coverage goals.

Key provisions and changes

Section 1901 (Administration of Program):

The Secretary of Administration (or the applicable administering agency) must make Dr. Dynasaur coverage available to all Vermont residents up to age 26 whose Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) is at or below 312% of the federal poverty level for their family size.
This expands current eligibility criteria to include young adults up to 26, subject to the specified income threshold.

Effective date:

The act takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Who is affected

Vermont residents up to 26 years old.

Household income must be at or below 312% of the federal poverty level for the relevant family size.

Eligible individuals would receive coverage under the Dr. Dynasaur program, which is funded through Medicaid (Title XIX) and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (Title XXI).

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduction and referral:

Introduced by Senators Vyhovsky, Gulick, Watson, and White.
Referred to the Senate Committee on Finance (first reading January 14, 2025).

Status:

As introduced, no committee hearing dates or floor votes are recorded in the provided material.

Effective implementation:

The expansion would become effective July 1, 2025, contingent on passage and any administrative rulemaking or program updates necessary to implement the new income threshold and eligibility rules.

Practical implications and considerations

Coverage expansions often require administrative adjustments (enrollment systems, outreach, and funding considerations) to accommodate a larger eligible population, including potential changes to premium contributions, cost-sharing, or service access policies within Dr. Dynasaur.

The 312% FPL threshold translates to a higher income cap than many traditional Medicaid expansions, potentially increasing the number of young adults who qualify for low- or no-cost coverage.

If you’d like, I can add context by comparing the 312% FPL threshold to current program limits or provide a brief fiscal/practical impact analysis based on typical Dr. Dynasaur enrollment patterns.

Bill