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Legislative Update: Priorities for Older Vermonters in the 2026 Session

Laura McDonough,

AARP Vermont

Published February 18, 2026

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As the Vermont Legislature continues the 2026 session, AARP Vermont is actively engaged in legislation that affects affordability, health security, and the ability of older Vermonters to remain independent in their communities. From transportation and health care costs to support for family caregivers, lawmakers’ decisions this year will have long-lasting impacts on Vermonters of all ages.‑lasting impacts on Vermonters of all ages.

Protecting Access to Transportation

AARP Vermont remains deeply concerned about proposals that would reduce funding for public transit. Across the state, older adults, people with disabilities, students, and rural residents depend on transit to reach medical appointments, grocery stores, jobs, and social connections. For many who no longer drive, transit is essential to aging safely at home and avoiding isolation.

AARP Vermont has urged lawmakers to protect transit funding as budget negotiations continue and recently highlighted these concerns in a VTDigger op‑ed, emphasizing that transportation is a critical link to health, independence, and community participation for older Vermonters.

Lowering Prescription Drug Costs: H.577

AARP Vermont supports H.577, which would establish the Vermont Prescription Drug Discount Card Program. The bill would allow Vermont to pool its prescription drug purchasing power with other states and organizations to negotiate lower drug prices for residents. The program would be administered by the Office of the State Treasurer and be available to all Vermonters, regardless of age or insurance status.

High prescription drug costs remain a major concern for older adults, many of whom take multiple medications on fixed incomes. AARP Vermont views H.577 as an important step toward improving affordability and expanding access to needed medications.

Take action today, and let your lawmaker know that older Vermonters need lower prescription drug prices.

Health Insurance Affordability and Age Rating: H.585

Vermont House Bill 585 proposes several health insurance reforms, many of which would potentially be harmful to older adults. While AARP Vermont strongly supports efforts to improve health insurance affordability and access, implementing age rating and expanding the availability of Association Health Plans (AHPs) and Short-Term, Limited-Duration (STLD) plans will not accomplish these goals.

AARP Vermont believes health insurance reforms should apply uniformly to all insurers and self-insured plans in a particular market. It should cover all individual, small-group, and large-group purchasers to ensure a level playing field. Associations, multiple employer welfare arrangements, and similar nontraditional pools should be subject to the same rules as the rest of the market. Any expansions of allowable insurance arrangements designed to enhance access to coverage and plan choice should also be subject to those same rules. These include AHPs or STLDs.

For these reasons, AARP Vermont urges policymakers to carefully consider the impact of HB 585 on older adults and to preserve the strong consumer protections currently in place in Vermont’s health insurance market. Any reforms intended to expand access or reduce costs should do so without shifting financial burdens onto older Vermonters or weakening safeguards that ensure comprehensive, affordable coverage for all.

Supporting Family Caregivers: S.231

Family caregivers provide the majority of long‑term care in Vermont, often at great personal and financial cost. S.231 would create a Vermont family caregiver tax credit to provide financial relief to individuals who provide unpaid care to family members with long‑term care needs. The bill proposes a credit based on qualifying caregiving expenses, with income‑based phaseouts, and has received bipartisan attention in the Senate Finance Committee.

AARP Vermont strongly supports efforts to recognize and support family caregivers, who play a critical role in helping older adults remain at home and out of institutional care.

Vermont is one of the oldest states in the nation, and many older residents - particularly those in rural communities - continue to rely on traditional landline service as their most dependable and sometimes only form of communication. For many, this service is not simply a convenience; it is a lifeline for contacting family members, caregivers, medical providers, and emergency services.

Safeguarding Consumers for Copper-to-Fiber Phone Transition: H.898

AARP Vermont supports H.898, which would require telecommunications providers to give advance notice and clear disclosures when transitioning customers from copper-based landline service to fiber or other technologies. Many older Vermonters—especially in rural areas—depend on traditional landlines as a reliable lifeline for emergency services, health care, and staying connected. H.898 provides common‑sense consumer protections by ensuring customers understand how service changes may affect reliability, cost, regulatory obligations, and access to backup power during outages. The bill does not impede modernization, but helps ensure these transitions are transparent, responsible, and protective of older adults and rural households.

Affordable Housing for People of All Ages

AARP supports the $235,000 appropriation request to sustain HomeShare Vermont, a proven program that promotes affordable housing, housing stability, and the ability for older Vermonters to age safely in their communities. By matching older adults, people with disabilities, and others with available space in their homes with individuals seeking affordable housing, HomeShare Vermont helps reduce housing costs, combat social isolation, and make better use of existing housing stock. The program’s recent expansion aligns with the Legislature’s health and housing stability goals, and prior appropriations successfully extended services to the Northeast Kingdom, southern Windsor County, and all of Windham County. This request provides level, base funding to maintain and continue these critical services that support independent living and strengthen communities across Vermont.

Looking Ahead

AARP Vermont will continue advocating for policies that make Vermont more affordable and livable for people of all ages. We remain engaged at the Statehouse, working with legislators and partners to advance solutions that support health, independence, and dignity for older Vermonters. We will keep members and advocates informed as these bills move forward.