Vermont H 833: An act relating to surface water diversions and financial surety requirements for holding tanks

Bill Text

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.833
2026 Page 1 of 3

VT LEG #386359 v.1
H.833 1
SHORT FORM 2
Introduced by Representative Boutin of Barre City 3
Referred to Committee on 4
Date: 5
Subject: Health; health insurance; high-deductible health insurance plans; 6
health savings accounts; public option 7
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create a study 8
committee to evaluate the feasibility of developing a public option, high-9
deductible health insurance plan that would be administered by one or more 10
private insurers and would be eligible to be paired with a health savings 11
account. The bill would establish the parameters of the plan to be evaluated, 12
including establishing aspects of plan design and administration; starting 13
participation with public employees and allowing for voluntary buy-in by other 14
groups later on; and capping reimbursements to providers at 10–15 percent 15
above Medicare rates, with the potential for higher rates in rural areas. The bill 16
would direct the study committee to analyze actuarial models and solvency 17
projections, administrative and regulatory requirements for insurer contracting, 18
integration of public employees into a single risk pool, funding options for 19
stabilizing premiums, price transparency enforcement mechanisms, using 20
insurer-led primary care clinics staffed by advanced practice registered nurses, 21

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.833
2026 Page 2 of 3

VT LEG #386359 v.1
using preventive care incentives to encourage healthy behaviors and reduce 1
long-term costs, and the need for and opportunities presented by pursuing 2
federal waivers. The bill would require the study committee to submit a report 3
and draft legislation for potential implementation of a pilot program on or 4
before January 15, 2027. 5
As part of the contract to administer the plan, if implemented, the bill would 6
require the health insurer or insurers to operate a statewide comparison tool 7
showing prices, quality metrics, and other information. The bill would require 8
participants or their employers to pay premiums, and participants would be 9
responsible for their deductibles, co-payments, and coinsurance, as directed by 10
the plan design. It would allow unpaid balances to be treated as public debts 11
recoverable through State tax refund intercepts, wage withholding, property 12
liens, and collections processes. The bill would require public employers to 13
continue their current contributions toward premiums, would establish a 14
premium tax credit for a portion of the employer share of premiums for small 15
businesses offering the public option plan, and would create a fund to stabilize 16
premiums through funds from existing assessments on employers and the use 17
of reinsurance and potential federal pass-through funds achieved through 18
receipt of applicable federal waivers. The bill would also require hospitals, 19
other health care facilities, and independent medical practices to publicly 20
disclose their prices and facility fees. 21

BILL AS INTRODUCED H.833
2026 Page 3 of 3

VT LEG #386359 v.1
An act relating to evaluating the feasibility of developing a public option, 1
high-deductible health insurance plan 2
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 3
(TEXT OMITTED IN SHORT-FORM BILLS) 4