(a) It is the intent of the General Assembly to establish a Vermont Health Benefit Exchange which meets the policy established in 18 V.S.A. § 9401 and, to the extent allowable under federal law or a waiver of federal law, becomes the mechanism to create Green Mountain Care.

(b) The purpose of the Vermont Health Benefit Exchange is to facilitate the purchase of affordable, qualified health benefit plans in the individual and group markets in this State in order to reduce the number of uninsured and underinsured; to reduce disruption when individuals lose employer-based insurance; to reduce administrative costs in the insurance market; to contain costs; to promote health, prevention, and healthy lifestyles by individuals; and to improve quality of health care.

(c) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to reduce, diminish, or otherwise infringe upon the benefits provided to eligible individuals under Medicare. (Added 2011, No. 48, § 4.)