Vermont Gov. Proposes Single-Payer Health Plan

[HuckleB]

http://www.npr.org/2011/02/11/133657928/vermont-gov-proposes-single-payer-health-plan

"Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin, who was elected last November after promising to reform health care in the state, unveiled a bill Tuesday that would abolish most forms of private health insurance and move state residents into a publicly funded insurance pool.

His much anticipated proposal lays out a strategy that leaves a number of key details — including how to pay for the system — open for debate.

Under Shumlin's "single-payer" system, Vermont residents would receive health benefits paid for by the state, regardless of their employment status or income. The plan is designed to help stem rising health costs, which state officials say have become unsustainable.

"Health care costs are climbing at a rate of more than 12 times the growth of the Vermont economy, and we're not getting the best value for our money," Shumlin said in a prepared statement. "The time for change has come."

..."


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It's worth a try, and worth putting this discussion in the public square, IMO. In the end, this is where I hope things go.

:hi:

[xchrom]

1. recommend

[Donnachaidh]

2. k&r 10000!!! n/t

[rurallib]

3. I regret that I have but one rec to give this post

[mhatrw]

4. Hooray! n/t

[supernova]

5. KnR +1000!

This is how it starts.

I'd say I'd move there, but too cold!

:scared:

[HuckleB]

6. Thanks for the recs!

:toast:

[flamingdem]

7. go VT! nt

[Enthusiast]

8. K&R..............nt

[EvolveOrConvolve]

9. I think this is an idea that everyone in the Health forum can agree upon

Hopefully Governor Shumlin can show the rest of America how it's done.

[Shagbark Hickory]

10. This is old news, really. wake me when they actually pass something.

And by 'something', I mean something that does not involved any private insurance company.

[HuckleB]

11. That's right. Let's just stay quiet and wait for someone else to do something.

:eyes:

[Shagbark Hickory]

12. What's the alternative? Post articles about how one state is probably going to get ROMNEYCARE?

[HuckleB]

13. There are many alternatives, including keeping the topic on everyone's mind.

[Shagbark Hickory]

16. I don't know about you but I suppose the topic is on everyone's mind every time they

get their insurance bill or have to go to the doctor.

Not to say that it isn't worth discussion, but like I said before, this has been in the headlines for a while. It's been on DU for a while, discussed ad infinitum actually, and it's really too soon to start cheering because this is the part where the insurance cartel starts steering policy.

The one thing vermont has is a large number of people that would support a universal healthcare plan but the fact remains, there's still a little more than 30% of that state that is on the other side and probably wouldn't support it. Those are the bunch that take to the streets waving their guns in the air. As a result,they're the ones that get noticed.

I'll also point out that even majorly right wing states like mine (<-- avatar) already have state run insurance plans. Only those plans are for children with low income parents. I think it's worth mentioning that in the argument for universal healthcare, nobody ever uses these government run plans for children as an example. They mention medicare, but the ones for children are really much better than medicare. Seems like it would make sense if we fought to remove the age limit and income restrictions on these children plans.

[Sgent]

14. Impossible (or almost)

Keep in mind that the state has no control over Medicare or VA, little control over Medicaid implementation, and no control over how most employers provider insurance (self insured employers -- usually 50+ lives -- are exempt from state insurance regulations).

This is "single payer" with all of the problems of the current system with no benefits.

[LeftishBrit]

15. Excellent idea!

Good for Governor Shumlin.

And good for Attlee and Bevan who introduced single-payer healthcare to my country 63 years ago, and here's to another 63 more, and a big boo to Andrew Lansley and all privatization threats!

[Tumbulu]

17. I hope that this idea spreads

to other states as well.