Dr. Dynasaur is a publicly funded healthcare program in the U.S. state of Vermont, created in 1989. Vermont had an estimated 140,000 people under age 18 (90,000 under 300% above the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)). Dr. Dynasaur covered 56,000 of these uninsured. After adding the coverage of this program to those already covered by private health insurance, Vermont had achieved a virtually universal health insurance for children. As a result, the state was regarded as having the best healthcare program in the United States.<!---probably true. May be able to use footnote from Vermont article--->
Coverage
At the time of its creation, Dr. Dynasaur used state funds program to provide healthcare for pregnant women and children ages six and under who did not have health insurance and who did not qualify for the federally funded Medicaid. The program covered pregnant women up to 200% above the Federal Poverty Level and children up to 225% above the Federal Poverty Level. Co-payments were required for some medical services. In 1992, Dr. Dynasaur coverage was expanded to children and teens through age 17. and through the State Children's Health Insurance Program authorized by Title XXI of the Act. A secondary goal is to assist working families to maintain their self-sufficiency. This complements the Vermont's welfare reform initiative by offering health coverage to low and middle-income families who do not receive welfare cash assistance.
Coverage under Dr. Dynasaur is comprehensive prenatal care, routine check-ups, immunizations, hospital care (both inpatient and outpatient), prescriptions, x-ray and lab tests, limited dental and vision services and other medical services. Most Dr. Dynasaur beneficiaries receive services through an HMO or PPO. No co-payments apply for any of these services. If there is other coverage, Dr. Dynasaur is a secondary payer.
Name
The name was selected in order to appeal to children as well as parents. With a genial name, it was felt, people would feel "comfortable to enroll their children in the public health care system".