Health Care Access

VIA has been active on both the state and national level in improving access to health care for all Vermonters.

At the state level, VIA has conducted outreach to faith communities throughout Vermont on the Catamount Health program, Vermont's adult health care program. This outreach has helped inform eligible persons about the benefits of the plan and the opportunities to enroll, as well as collected stories of Vermonters' personal experiences to use in advocating for further health care reform.

At the national level, VIA has been an active participant in the PICO National Network's efforts to improve health care for children and adults.  Together with PICO and child health advocates, VIA helped pass reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program extending coverage to 4.1 million uninsured children.  VIA is now working closely with PICO on a national comprehensive health reform campaign (visit www.coverallfamilies.org for more information).

Other VIA accomplishments on health care include:

• Pressing the governor and legislative leaders to establish a comprehensive health care program called Catamount Health to provide coverage to uninsured Vermonters.
• Launching a unique campaign targeting faith communities to inform people throughout the state about eligibility and enrollment in the plan.
• Joining an extensive statewide coalition to advocate on behalf of expanded health care reform.
• Participating in fall 2006 with PICO organizations in 17 other states to protect Medicaid at a federal level.
• Working with the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities in Washington, DC on a response to Vermont’s effort to create a Global Commitment Medicaid Waiver.