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Catamount Health is Good, But Could Be Better
(by Heather Riemer, Business Outreach Director - July 16, 2008)
Catamount Health is Good, But Could Be Better
Editor: Recent press coverage of Catamount Health may leave readers believing that Vermont's public health care programs are not doing what they are intended to do: provide quality, affordable health insurance for Vermonters who need it. The facts are otherwise. Since the passage of the 2006 Health Care Affordability Act, over 10,000 uninsured Vermonters have signed up for public health insurance, including almost 5,000 in Catamount Health. Not only is Catamount Health helping many Vermonters, its affordability has led many small business owners to ask that they too be allowed to buy into the plan. A survey of 400 Vermont businesses by the AARP found that 60% said they are likely to switch to Catamount Health if it was available. Among those companies who do not provide coverage, 80% said they are likely to enroll if they were allowed to. Prior to the implementation of Catamount Health a Vermonter who was self-employed or wanted to start a business would have to join an association to access health insurance or attempt to buy coverage on the private insurance market-an expensive prospect. Now entrepreneurial Vermonters have another option: Catamount Health. Unfortunately, the way Catamount Health is structured now, business owners who currently provide health insurance for themselves and their employees are barred from participating in Catamount Health unless they choose to go without any health coverage for one year�which is not an option for most business owners and employees. It is this provision which business owners are most angry about. Catamount Health is off to a good start, but we can do better. We need more public education about the program and it�s companions VHAP, Medicaid and Dr. Dynasaur. We need to lower the premiums for all public programs to make them more affordable for Vermonters already squeezed by rising fuel and food prices. Finally, we need to help Vermont business owners by allowing them to purchase Catamount Health for themselves and their employees. To keep up to date on Catamount Health and to find out how to get more involved visit www.CatamountHealth.org.
Heather Riemer,
Business Outreach Director Vermont Campaign for Health Care Security Education Fund
Montpelier
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