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VermontH.802025-2026 SessionHouseWALLET

An act relating to the Office of the Health Care Advocate

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

More health care help for Vermonters

Beginning July 1, 2025, the Health Care Advocate helps Vermonters choose insurance and find ways to obtain and pay for coverage and care. The Office handles questions, complaints, and appeals, including referrals from Vermont’s health insurance exchange. It explains health coverage rights and duties and must ensure timely access to its services. It can seek remedies through agencies, courts, and other channels for individuals or groups, and represent Vermonters before state agencies. Providers and insurers must share relevant records when a person, guardian, or legal representative authorizes the Office to help. They may require written consent first, and the Office must protect users’ information under applicable state and federal rules. These services do not guarantee a payment or a particular result.

More consumer input on insurance rates

Beginning July 1, 2025, the Health Care Advocate can submit questions about insurers’ rate requests to the Green Mountain Care Board. Questions must arrive within 30 calendar days after the Board receives the request and substantially relate to the filing and review standards. The Board must ask the insurer those questions, directly or through its hired actuary. It must post the Advocate’s written comments online and consider them before deciding the request. The Board must also make all rate-review records available online or through file sharing, with confidential or legally protected information redacted. These rules do not guarantee lower insurance rates.

Patient advocates gain health project input

Beginning July 1, 2025, the Health Care Advocate can join certificate-of-need reviews of health care projects by filing a notice. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s Office has the same rights in nursing home cases. Each participating office can receive review materials and send written questions for the Board to ask applicants before a hearing. It can also submit comments, ask questions at hearings, and give testimony. Neither office can further share confidential or proprietary information it receives.

Stronger independent health advocacy for Vermonters

Beginning July 1, 2025, the law establishes an independent Health Care Advocate Office funded through a nonprofit contract with Vermont’s Agency of Human Services. One or more directors, including a Chief Health Care Advocate, run the Office and can hire staff and contractors. The Office monitors health policy, proposes patient protections, works with health policy groups, and helps Vermonters share public comments. State agencies must meet reasonable requests tied to its duties, including access to protected information and related meetings when appropriate. Agencies need not disclose information barred by law or legal privilege, and the Office cannot further share protected information. The Office can speak for Vermonters without retaliation, subject to existing contract enforcement. By January 15 each year, it must report activities, performance, and financial accounts to the Governor and relevant legislative committees.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

Actions Timeline

  1. House message: Governor approved bill on April 23, 2025

    4/24/2025House

  2. Signed by Governor on April 23, 2025

    4/23/2025House

  3. Delivered to Governor on April 17, 2025

    4/17/2025House

  4. House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendment

    4/16/2025House

  5. Senate proposal of amendment concurred in

    4/15/2025House

  6. Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    4/15/2025House

  7. Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of Amendment

    4/11/2025House

  8. Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    4/10/2025Senate

  9. Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendment

    4/9/2025Senate

  10. New Business/Third Reading

    4/9/2025Senate

  11. 3rd reading ordered

    4/8/2025Senate

  12. Proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare agreed to

    4/8/2025Senate

  13. Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Gulick for Committee on Health and Welfare

    4/8/2025Senate

  14. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare

    4/8/2025Senate

  15. New Business/Second Reading

    4/8/2025Senate

  16. Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare

    4/4/2025Senate

  17. Second Reading

    4/4/2025Senate

  18. Entered on Notice Calendar

    4/4/2025Senate

  19. Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and Welfare

    3/25/2025Senate

  20. Read third time and passed

    3/20/2025House

  21. Action Calendar: Third Reading

    3/20/2025House

  22. Third Reading ordered

    3/19/2025House

  23. Report of Committee on Health Care, as amended, agreed to

    3/19/2025House

  24. Rep. Black of Essex, Berbeco of Winooski, Cina of Burlington, Cordes of Bristol, Critchlow of Colchester, Demar of Enosburgh, Goldman of Rockingham, Houghton of Essex Junction, McFaun of Barre Town, Page of Newport City, and Powers of Waterford moved to amend the report of the Committee on Health Care, which was agreed to

    3/19/2025House

  25. Rep. Critchlow of Colchester reported for the Committee on Health Care

    3/19/2025House

Bill Text

  • As Enacted (ACT 6)Opens in a new window

    4/30/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers

    4/16/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by Both Chambers (Unofficial)

    4/16/2025

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • Senate Proposal of Amendment (Unofficial)

    4/15/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House

    3/26/2025

    PDF

  • As Passed by the House (Unofficial)

    3/26/2025

    PDF

  • As Introduced

    1/24/2025

    PDF

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