Why is health insurance in Vermont so expensive?

Cha-ching. Vermont health insurance is pricey, and getting more expensive really quickly. For one listener in Montpelier, it’s just not adding up.

Rosie Krueger says sky-high health insurance costs were a real pill when she was building budgets on the Montpelier City Council a few years ago. Since then, this health insurance dilemma has only gotten worse.

The good news: There’s a pretty straightforward answer to Rosie’s question. The bad news: It’s hard to know what to do about it.

For a closer look at the data we mention in the episode, check out the web version of this story.

Thanks to Rosie for the great question. 

This episode was reported by Josh Crane, with additional reporting from Lexi Krupp. Editing and additional production from Sabine Poux and Burgess Brown. Our intern is Catherine Morrissey. Digital support from Zoe McDonald. Angela Evancie is our Executive Producer. Theme music by Ty Gibbons; other music by Blue Dot Sessions and Universal Production Music.

Special thanks to Laura Nakasaka, Michelle Goodell, Phil Galewitz, Kiana Moore, Annie Mackin, Kristen LaJeunesse and Sara Teachout.

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Brave Little State is a production of Vermont Public and a proud member of the NPR Network.

Correction 3/5/25: If you have commercial insurance and get an outpatient procedure, treatment or test done in Vermont, it’ll run you about 11% more than the national median — not 30% more. We’ve updated the audio to reflect this.