AARP in Your State

July 2008

Broader access – Lawmakers passed an AARP Vermont-supported bill (H 887) in May that makes it easier for underinsured Vermonters to receive benefits from the state’s Catamount Health plan.  Gov. Jim Douglas, R, signed the measure into law in June, and it took effect immediately. Under its provisions, Vermonters currently enrolled in nongroup health plans with high deductibles (no less than $10,000) no longer have to wait a year to switch to Catamount Health. And after a year of paying full fees for Catamount coverage, they can apply for help with paying the premiums, which is available on a sliding scale based on income. In addition, Vermonters with preexisting conditions can sign up for full coverage if they apply before November 2008.  For more information about Catamount Health, visit www.greenmountaincare.org.

March 2008

Reasonable rates – AARP Vermont’s efforts halved a proposed 40 percent increase in service charges for residential customers of Morrisville Water & Light Department. The municipal utility proposed increasing the fixed monthly charge from $6.42 to $9.04, regardless of how carefully consumers avoided unnecessary energy use. AARP Vermont argued the increase would discourage conservation and would be unfair to low-income consumers. The Public Service Board agreed and capped the hike at $7.73. “We’re pleased the Public Service Board recognized the need to protect ratepayers from charges they have no control over as consumers,” says Philene Taormina, AARP associate state director for advocacy. For more information, visit www.aarp.org/vt.

December 2007

Get connected – The Burlington Livable Community Project, established 10 years ago by AARP Vermont and the City of Burlington, has launched a website geared to the interests and needs of the city's older residents. Located at www.blcp.org, the site features a community events calendar, volunteer opportunities, local resources, research publications and the project's work plan, which focuses on improving housing, transportation and civic engagement.  The work plan was developed by about 30 interested groups. Visitors to the site can volunteer for activities ranging from home modifications to pedestrian safety audits."We're excited about the website's potential to engage even more citizens in the effort to keep Burlington livable," says Jennifer Wallace-Brodeur, AARP acting state director.

November 2007

Gotcha covered – Catamount Health Plan, the state’s new health insurance program, began enrolling uninsured residents last month. AARP Vermont, which in 2006 lobbied for the law that created the plan, has now launched a campaign to tell eligible Vermonters about its benefits and how to enroll. The campaign features television, radio, newspaper and Internet ads, as well as direct mail. “We want to make sure people know about this opportunity and sign up,” says Jennifer Wallace-Brodeur, AARP acting state director.Catamount aims to help uninsured Vermonters pay for doctors’ visits, hospital stays, prescription drugs and more. The state-subsidized plan sets premiums on a sliding scale and offers low-cost deductibles and copayments of 20 percent. For details, visit http://www.greenmountaincare.org or call 1-800-250-8427.

September 2007

Rx savings – A new law designed to put the brakes on pharmaceutical marketing in Vermont could help consumers and the state save more than $10 million annually on prescription drugs.AARP Vermont, the Vermont Medical Society and the state Attorney General's Office supported the law, especially a provision restricting the use of doctors' prescription records for targeted sales calls or other marketing purposes — unless the doctor agrees to allow drug manufacturers to use the data that way. Other provisions increase transparency in drug pricing and create a first-in-the-nation program to supply patients with free samples of generic drugs. Gov. Jim Douglas, R, signed the law in June, and it will take effect Jan. 1, 2008.