October 16, 2009: Principal Investigator Ron Deprez and his research team at the University of New England Center for Health Policy, Planning and Research, have released an issue brief detailing early findings from their SHARE-sponsored evaluation of health reform outcomes in Vermont.
Building on strong history of thoughtful health reform, Vermont passed health reform legislation in 2006. Among other things, the legislation created the Catamount Health and Employer Sponsored Insurance (ESI) Premium Assistance Programs, streamlined insurance application/enrollment processes, and enhanced outreach to the uninsured.
The issue brief, "Achieving Universal Coverage through Comprehensive Reform: The Vermont Experience," shows that the percentage of Vermont residents aged 0 to 64 with some type of insurance coverage increased by 2.4% between 2005 and 2008. Data also suggest that increased outreach to populations already eligible for public insurance may have led to an increase in enrollment into existing programs.
Click here to read the brief.