More than 71,000 Vermonters tuned in online on Wednesday night to a statewide meeting to share their concerns with Vermont’s Congressional Delegation.”The truth is, these are the most difficult moments in my political life,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders.Vermonters said they are worried about their cost of living, following a 44-day government shutdown and massive increases in health insurance costs statewide.”We’ve got to work on reducing costs,” said Rep. Becca Balint. “We have to think about what it is that gives people that foundation from which they can build a life.”How much of an increase will some Vermonters see?NBC5 caught up with the experts who crunched the numbers.”Vermont’s health care premiums are some of the highest in the country, if not the highest,” said Green Mountain Care Board chair Owen Foster.According to Foster, the out-of-pocket yearly cost of health insurance for a family of four has doubled, in some cases tripled, with subsidies expected to expire at the end of this year. Those allow Vermonters to purchase insurance for a steep discount.”With the doubling and tripling, a lot of Vermonters won’t be able to access health insurance, because it will simply be too expensive,” said Foster.Those costs could be the difference between a family paying $20,000 for their plan, to forking over $50,000.”We recognize that this is a really difficult time for Vermonters,” said Alex McCracken, with the Department of Vermont Health Access.The Department of Vermont Health Access oversees Vermont Health Connect, which insures tens of thousands of Vermonters. They say there’s still resources that families can turn to. “Not all financial assistance is expiring. There’s been a lot of concern around that. There is still financial assistance available through Vermont Health Connect. We’re encouraging all Vermonters to log on to Vermont Health Connect, to look through the plan comparison tool, to shop through different options, to see if there might be a way to stay informed and stay covered through the coming year,” said McCracken.Meanwhile, Vermont’s Delegation assured their constituents Wednesday that they are going to be doing their part in Washington.”Let’s continue to fight, and we’re going to win this thing,” said Sen. Sanders.The full town hall can be found online. Health resources are available.
More than 71,000 Vermonters tuned in online on Wednesday night to a statewide meeting to share their concerns with Vermont’s Congressional Delegation.
“The truth is, these are the most difficult moments in my political life,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders.
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Vermonters said they are worried about their cost of living, following a 44-day government shutdown and massive increases in health insurance costs statewide.
“We’ve got to work on reducing costs,” said Rep. Becca Balint. “We have to think about what it is that gives people that foundation from which they can build a life.”
How much of an increase will some Vermonters see?
NBC5 caught up with the experts who crunched the numbers.
“Vermont’s health care premiums are some of the highest in the country, if not the highest,” said Green Mountain Care Board chair Owen Foster.
According to Foster, the out-of-pocket yearly cost of health insurance for a family of four has doubled, in some cases tripled, with subsidies expected to expire at the end of this year. Those allow Vermonters to purchase insurance for a steep discount.
“With the doubling and tripling, a lot of Vermonters won’t be able to access health insurance, because it will simply be too expensive,” said Foster.
Those costs could be the difference between a family paying $20,000 for their plan, to forking over $50,000.
“We recognize that this is a really difficult time for Vermonters,” said Alex McCracken, with the Department of Vermont Health Access.
The Department of Vermont Health Access oversees Vermont Health Connect, which insures tens of thousands of Vermonters. They say there’s still resources that families can turn to.
“Not all financial assistance is expiring. There’s been a lot of concern around that. There is still financial assistance available through Vermont Health Connect. We’re encouraging all Vermonters to log on to Vermont Health Connect, to look through the plan comparison tool, to shop through different options, to see if there might be a way to stay informed and stay covered through the coming year,” said McCracken.
Meanwhile, Vermont’s Delegation assured their constituents Wednesday that they are going to be doing their part in Washington.
“Let’s continue to fight, and we’re going to win this thing,” said Sen. Sanders.
The full town hall can be found online. Health resources are available.
