VermontVermont sets up a prescription drug discount card program
The act directs Vermont’s treasurer to run a prescription discount card program and requires insurers to credit certain out-of-pocket drug payments starting July 1, 2026.
What it does
The State Treasurer would run a discount card program available to all Vermont residents, using combined purchasing power with other states. The act provides $50,000 for setup.
People who buy prescription drugs without using insurance could have those payments counted toward their deductible and out-of-pocket limit if they provide proof of payment.
Argument forPeople may reduce prescription costs through pooled purchasing, while insured patients could receive credit for qualifying drug payments made outside their insurance.
Argument againstPatients may face extra paperwork because they must keep and submit payment proof before insurers credit purchases toward cost-sharing limits.
More detail
The Office of the State Treasurer would administer a prescription drug discount card program. The program would be available to all Vermont residents and would pool prescription drug purchasing power with other states. The act provides $50,000 to develop and implement the program in fiscal year 2027. The Treasurer must report on implementation by January 15, 2027, and must submit annual reports beginning in 2028 about the prior calendar year.
Health insurers and pharmacy benefit managers must count qualifying prescription payments toward a covered person’s deductible and out-of-pocket maximums. The rule applies to covered individuals who pay for prescription drugs without using insurance, including payments made on their behalf. The individual must provide proof of payment so the spending can be properly credited. Insurers and pharmacy benefit managers must notify covered individuals at least once a year about this proof requirement. They must make downloadable proof-of-payment forms available on their websites. These requirements take effect July 1, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 29House message: Governor approved bill on June 15, 2026Latest
- May 29Signed by Governor Phil Scott on June 15, 2026Became Law
- May 29Delivered to Governor on June 9, 2026To Governor
- May 21House message: House concurred in Senate proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 19Senate proposal of amendment concurred inMinor
- May 19Action Calendar: Unfinished Business
- May 18Action Calendar: Senate Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 15Notice Calendar: Senate Proposal of AmendmentMinor
- May 14Senate Message: Passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentMinor
- May 13Read 3rd time & passed in concurrence with proposal of amendmentPassed 2nd Chamber
- May 13New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- May 123rd reading ordered
- May 12Proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare agreed toMinor
- May 12Reported favorably by Senator Lyons for Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 12Reported favorably by Senator Gulick for Committee on FinanceMinor
- May 12Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Lyons for Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 12Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 12Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- May 12Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 12New Business/Second ReadingMinor
- May 8Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 8Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- May 8Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 8Second ReadingMinor
- May 8Entered on Notice Calendar
- May 5Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31
- May 5Favorable report by Committee on FinanceMinor
- May 5Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 5Second ReadingMinor
- May 5Entered on Notice Calendar
- Apr 23Referred to Committee on Finance per Senate Rule 31
- Apr 23Favorable report with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Apr 23Second ReadingMinor
- Apr 23Entered on Notice Calendar
- Mar 27Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Mar 25Read third time and passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Mar 25Action Calendar: Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 24Third Reading orderedMinor
- Mar 24Report of Committee on Health Care, as amended, agreed to
- Mar 24Report of Committee on Health Care amended as recommended by Committee on Ways and Means
- Mar 24Rep. Dickinson of St. Albans Town recommended for the Committee on Appropriations
- Mar 24Rep. Branagan of Georgia recommended for the Committee on Ways and Means
- Mar 24Rep. Critchlow of Colchester reported for the Committee on Health Care
- Mar 24Read second timeMinor
- Mar 24Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Mar 20Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Feb 17Pending entry on Notice Calendar, referred to Committee on Appropriations per Rule 35(a)
- Feb 6Referred to Committee on Ways and Means per Rule 35(a)
- Feb 6Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Jan 6Read first time and referred to the Committee on Health CareIntroduced
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