State Fiscal Obligations Protected

Contain Health Care Cost

The health care reform legislation enables the state Emergency Board (E-Board) to establish caps on enrollment in the premium assistance programs if sufficient funds are not available to sustain them.

The Emergency Board typically meets twice a year, in January and July. Members of the board include the Governor, the Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, the Chairman of the Senate Appropriation Committee, the Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee and the Chairman of the House Appropriation Committee.

In August 2007, the Emergency Board met to decide whether to proceed with the Catamount Health Premium Assistance Program as planned, given the CMS decision to not provide federal financing for people with household incomes between 200% and 300% FPL. The Emergency Board agreed to use state funds to continue this program as planned, or until there is a reversal of the CMS decision that results in federal support.