VermontAct sets Medicaid rules for drug pricing, funeral funds, and doula coverage
Effective June 8, 2026, the act sets provisions for Medicaid drug rules, prepaid funeral funds, doula certification, and HIV prevention drug coverage.
What it does
The act removes certain state drug-price reporting rules and protects 340B covered entities from data demands by drug manufacturers.
The act includes new committee membership rules and directs Medicaid rules allowing up to $15,000 in certain prepaid funeral accounts, subject to federal approval.
The act sets July 1, 2027, for the doula certification and federal-approval steps and includes health insurance and Medicaid rules for HIV prevention drugs.
Argument forMedicaid members may be able to keep more money in prepaid funeral arrangements, if the required rule changes receive federal approval.
Argument againstMedicaid may recover money remaining after funeral and burial costs, which could reduce funds available to a beneficiary’s survivors.
More detail
DVHA does not create annual lists of prescription drugs with significant recent price increases, and drug manufacturers may not require 340B covered entities to provide claims or use data to receive covered drugs. The provisions cover DVHA, prescription drug manufacturers, 340B covered entities, and 340B contract pharmacies. The act also provides that 340B drug discounts need not be made available at the time of purchase instead of later as a rebate. The supplied text does not give further details about the drug-price information or discount rules. These provisions are effective June 8, 2026.
The act sets membership and composition rules for DVHA’s Medicaid and Exchange Advisory Committee and Clinical Utilization Review Board, and directs new Medicaid rules for prepaid funeral arrangements. The funeral-arrangement provision applies to Medicaid beneficiaries with irrevocable prepaid funeral arrangements. The Agency of Human Services must amend its rules and procedures, subject to federal approval. A beneficiary may maintain up to $15,000 in the arrangement and remain eligible for Medicaid. Vermont Medicaid may recover money left in the account after funeral and burial expenses are paid. The provisions are effective June 8, 2026; the $15,000 limit depends on amended rules and federal approval.
The act uses July 1, 2027, as the date for creating a certification program for community-based perinatal doulas and the deadline for seeking federal approval for Medicaid coverage of certified doula services; it also codifies coverage requirements for HIV prevention drugs. The provisions address community-based perinatal doulas, certified doula services, health insurance, Medicaid, and HIV prevention drugs. The doula coverage plan depends on seeking federal approval. The supplied text does not state the specific HIV prevention drugs or coverage requirements. The doula certification program and the deadline to seek federal approval are delayed to July 1, 2027; the act otherwise takes effect June 8, 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 8, 2026Latest
- May 29Signed by Governor Phil Scott on June 8, 2026Became Law
- May 29Delivered to Governor on June 2, 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 12Read 2nd time, reported favorably with proposal of amendment by Senator Gulick for Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 12Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- May 12Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 12New Business/Second ReadingMinor
- May 8Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- 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 with proposal of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- May 5Second ReadingMinor
- May 5Entered on Notice Calendar
- Feb 12Read 1st time & referred to Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Feb 10Read third time and passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Feb 10Action Calendar: Third ReadingMinor
- Feb 6Third Reading orderedMinor
- Feb 6Report of Committee on Health Care agreed to
- Feb 6Rep. Yacovone of Morristown recommended for the Committee on Appropriations
- Feb 6Rep. Powers of Waterford reported for the Committee on Health Care
- Feb 6Read second timeMinor
- Feb 6Action Calendar: Action postponed until February 6, 2026
- Feb 5Rep. Black of Essex moved to postpone action until February 6. 2026, which was agreed to
- Feb 5Action Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Feb 4Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Jan 30Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Rule 35(a)
- Jan 30Notice Calendar: Favorable with Amendment
- Jan 8Read first time and referred to the Committee on Health CareIntroduced
HealthcareConsumer ProtectionMental Health