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Bill

H 114

An act relating to expanding Dr. Dynasaur income eligibility for pregnant individuals and exploring eligibility expansions for other populations

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Doug Bishop and 18 co-sponsors

Expands Dr. Dynasaur eligibility for more pregnant individuals and studies extending coverage to additional groups to improve access to prenatal care.

Read first time and referred to the Committee on Health Care
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · H 114

Bill overview

  • Bill: H 114 (Session 2025-2026)
  • Jurisdiction: Vermont
  • Title: An act relating to expanding Dr. Dynasaur income eligibility for pregnant individuals and exploring eligibility expansions for other populations
  • First reading and referral: Read first time and referred to the Committee on Health Care on 2025-01-28
  • Principal aim: Increase income eligibility for the Dr. Dynasaur program for pregnant individuals and study potential eligibility expansions for additional populations

Main purpose and intent

  • Expand Dr. Dynasaur (Vermont’s public health insurance program for children, pregnant individuals, and certain low-income adults) to include a broader group of pregnant individuals by raising or altering income thresholds.
  • Initiate an exploration and discussion of extending eligibility beyond pregnant individuals to other populations, with the goal of broader access to affordable health coverage.
  • Position Vermont to improve prenatal and perinatal health outcomes by reducing barriers to insurance coverage during pregnancy.

Key provisions and changes proposed

  • Dr. Dynasaur eligibility expansion for pregnant individuals:
    • Adjust income eligibility standards to accommodate more pregnant individuals who were previously ineligible.
    • Potentially revise the calculation method, asset tests, or annual/periodic review processes to align with expanded thresholds.
    • Ensure continuity of coverage or easier eligibility determination for pregnant individuals during and after pregnancy (subject to bill text).
  • Exploration of eligibility expansions for other populations:
    • Mandates or authorizes a study, analysis, or stakeholder engagement to assess extending Dr. Dynasaur or similar public insurance eligibility to additional groups (e.g., adults, families, or specific vulnerable populations).
    • May include reporting requirements to the legislature on findings, cost estimates, and implementation considerations.
  • Administrative or operational alignment:
    • Possible provisions to coordinate with Vermont Health Access Plan (VHAP) policies, the Department of Vermont Health Access, or related agencies to implement eligibility changes.
    • Considerations for budget impact, federal Medicaid/CHIP matching, and program sustainability.

Who would be affected

  • Pregnant individuals currently eligible for Dr. Dynasaur:
    • Those with incomes above prior thresholds but within new expanded limits, enabling access to prenatal care, delivery, and related health services.
  • Pregnant individuals not previously eligible:
    • Individuals near current income limits who would newly qualify under expanded criteria.
  • Other populations (potential future beneficiaries):
    • Depending on the study outcomes, may include additional adults or families who could become eligible under expanded program rules.
  • Health care providers and insurers:
    • Entities involved in enrolling beneficiaries and delivering covered services could experience administrative changes and workflow adjustments.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Introduced and referred to the Health Care Committee; no further action details provided in the summary.
  • Likely next steps (subject to committee action and legislative process):
    • Committee hearings, stakeholder testimony, and potential amendments.
    • Development of a cost estimate and fiscal note, especially if expansions affect state expenditures and federal matching funds.
    • Possible advancement to floor debate, negotiation, and publication of a final version for consideration.
  • Reporting elements:
    • If the bill includes a study component for other populations, it would specify deliverables (e.g., interim and final reports) and timelines for findings.

Notable considerations

  • Budgetary impact: Expanded eligibility could increase the state’s share of program costs or alter federal matching under Medicaid/CHIP; a fiscal note would be typically prepared.
  • Access and equity: Aims to reduce gaps in coverage for pregnant individuals, potentially improving maternal and infant health outcomes.
  • Implementation: Any changes would require administrative upgrades to eligibility systems and coordination with relevant Vermont agencies.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to focus on specific sections once the committee bill text is available, or add a side-by-side comparison with current Dr. Dynasaur eligibility rules.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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