Governor Peter Shumlin says two federal studies show that the state's Blueprint for Health is helping reduce the growth of Vermont health care costs.
Speaking Wednesday in Burlington, Governor Shumlin said a report by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says Vermont's plan was one of two plans to achieve slower growth in total Medicare spending.
A second report by the Department of Health and Human Services focused on a part of the Blueprint for Health that found it saved about $1,750 per Vermont Medicare recipient compared to non-members.
The Blueprint for Health is designed to save money and improve care by encouraging better coordination between primary care, mental health, substance abuse treatment and other providers.
Shumlin wants to increase Blueprint spending to $9 million.
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