VermontVermont agencies would study coverage costs for tests guiding care
Vermont agencies would study insurance and Medicaid costs for tests that use blood or tissue to guide care, without requiring coverage.
What it does
The Department of Financial Regulation would study insurance costs for biomarker tests, which look for clues in patient samples to guide care. Its report would be due by January 15, 2027.
The Agency of Human Services would study Medicaid costs and needed federal approvals for covering tests that use patient samples to guide care. Its report would be due by January 15, 2027.
Argument forThe reports could help lawmakers weigh insurance price increases, state costs, and federal approval needs before deciding whether to require coverage.
Argument againstPreparing the reports could take staff time at two state agencies without guaranteeing patients coverage for tests that guide their care.
More detail
The Department of Financial Regulation would study the costs of requiring health insurance coverage for biomarker testing. Biomarker tests examine blood, tissue, or other patient samples for clues such as gene changes and proteins. The study would cover tests backed by medical and scientific evidence for diagnosing, treating, managing, or monitoring a disease or condition. The report would estimate premium increases and the state’s costs to help pay those increases for certain health plans and its employee health plan. The department would report to House and Senate committees on or before January 15, 2027.
The Agency of Human Services would study Medicaid costs and report which federal approvals Vermont would need to cover biomarker testing. The report would examine costs to Vermont Medicaid and approvals needed from federal Medicaid officials. The study would cover tests backed by medical and scientific evidence for diagnosing, treating, managing, or monitoring a disease or condition. The agency would report to House and Senate health committees on or before January 15, 2027.
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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
- Mar 26Read first time and referred to the Committee on Health CareLatest
- Mar 24Read 3rd time & passedPassed 1st Chamber
- Mar 24New Business/Third ReadingMinor
- Mar 203rd reading ordered
- Mar 20Recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and Welfare agreed to
- Mar 20Reported favorably by Senator Lyons for Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Mar 20Read 2nd time, reported favorably with recommendation of amendment by Senator Cummings for Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Mar 20Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Mar 20Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Mar 20Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 19Favorable report by Committee on AppropriationsMinor
- Mar 19Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Mar 19Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 19Entered on Notice Calendar
- Mar 17Referred to Committee on Appropriations per Senate Rule 31
- Mar 17Favorable report with recommendation of amendment by Committee on Health and WelfareMinor
- Mar 17Second ReadingMinor
- Mar 17Entered on Notice Calendar
- Jan 23Committee on Finance relieved; bill committed to Committee on Health and Welfare on motion of Senator Cummings
- 2025
- May 9Read 1st time & referred to Committee on FinanceIntroduced
Healthcare