Vermont lawmakers say they may require all residents to have health insurance if the elimination of the individual mandate causes a significant number to drop their coverage.

Vermont Public Radio reports some lawmakers fear the drop in coverage could lead to an increase in private health insurance premiums.

The individual mandate included in the Affordable Care Act required Americans to have health insurance or pay a penalty. Its repeal was included in the Republican tax bill passed Dec. 20.

Al Gobeille, the secretary of the Agency of Human Services, says Republican Gov. Phil Scott's administration will review a state individual mandate should the numbers of Vermonter with coverage drop.

The state Senate Health Care Committee will take testimony on the issue in January.

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