Act No. 48 Page 1 of 1
2021
This act summary is provided for the convenience of the public and members of the General
Assembly. It is intended to provide a general summary of the act and may not be
exhaustive. It has been prepared by the staff of the Office of Legislative Counsel without
input from members of the General Assembly. It is not intended to aid in the interpretation
of legislation or to serve as a source of legislative intent.
Act No. 48 (H.430). Health; Agency of Human Services; Dr. Dynasaur-like
coverage; children; pregnant individuals
An act relating to eligibility for Dr. Dynasaur-like coverage for all income-
eligible children and pregnant individuals regardless of immigration status
This act requires the Agency of Human Services (AHS) to provide coverage
equivalent to the coverage under the Dr. Dynasaur program to children and
pregnant individuals who are not eligible for Dr. Dynasaur because of their
immigration status. The coverage will become available beginning on July 1,
2022, subject to fiscal year 2023 appropriations. The act specifies that the same
confidentiality provisions will apply to the new coverage as apply under the
Medicaid program, except that it prohibits AHS from making information about
applicants or enrollees available to the federal government.
To the extent that applicable funds are appropriated in the fiscal year 2022
budget ($1.4 million in one-time funds were appropriated), the act directs AHS to
use the funds in fiscal year 2022 for grants or reimbursements, or both, to health
care providers for delivering health care services during fiscal year 2022 to
children and pregnant individuals who are not eligible for Dr. Dynasaur because
of their immigration status; for grants to Vermont organizations to provide
outreach and information to the undocumented immigrant community and health
care providers about opportunities for Vermont’s children and pregnant
individuals who are not eligible for Dr. Dynasaur because of their immigration
status to access health care services at low or no cost during fiscal year 2022 and
after and about the confidentiality of their records; and for implementation of
technological and operational processes needed to enable the Department of
Vermont Health Access to administer the Dr. Dynasaur-like coverage beginning
on July 1, 2022. The act also requires AHS to provide information in its fiscal
year 2023 budget presentation on the estimated fiscal year 2023 costs of the
coverage.
Multiple effective dates, beginning on June 1, 2021
VT LEG #356936 v.2