Vermonters Have a Choice to Make: Get Insurance or Face Legal Consequences

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott just signed a new law into effect that requires residents of the state to carry health insurance. Details of the law, which will take effect January 1, 2020, are still being worked out by a special commission. One such detail is the nature of the penalty for those who don’t comply with the law. Advocates say it won’t necessarily be a financial one, yet no other possible consequences have been disclosed publicly. They’re quick to reason, however, that the law is necessary in order to spread insurance risk among as many people as possible and to minimize the cost for insurance as much as possible. Other states may follow, according to the National Academy for State Health Policy; it says Hawaii, Maryland, New Jersey, and Washington are also considering such a mandate. Connecticut has been studying one and a Washington D.C. group is recommending the district implement one. Massachusetts already mandates that all residents have health insurance.