Vermont Legislative Comittee Set to Approve Single Payer Today

[cali]

Bill Would Create Federal Exchanges, Five Person Health Care Board


MONTPELIER, Vt. -- A committee of the Vermont House is expected to approve a bill that would put the state on the path to creating a single-payer health care system.

The legislation that is expected to be approved Friday by the House Health Care Committee would create so-called federal exchanges that are part of the new national health care law. It would also create a five-person Health Care Board that would oversee virtually every aspect of Vermont's health care system.

The Health Care Board would be modeled after the Public Service Board, which regulates Vermont utilities.

The health care proposal is a top priority of Gov. Peter Shumlin.

<snip>

http://www.wptz.com/news/27237702/detail.html

The vote in the full House may come as early as next week.

[KittyWampus]

1. Thanks President Obama, even though many DU'ers won't admit/understand

you helped make this happen.

Hope it passes.

[drm604]

2. Yes.

The "compromise" he made opened a path for the states to do this.

[Motown_Johnny]

6. I am with you that Pres. Obama deserves some credit here

This could not have happened without HCR passing and all the single payer / public option people who disapproved of it because it didn't even have a public option seem to be behind the curve on this one.


But to give some credit where credit is due, it was the Kucinich Amendment which specifically created this opportunity. No, I don't think Dennis should primary Obama, nor should anyone else.



http://kucinich.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=138052

^snip^


Washington, Jul 17, 2009 -

Congressman Dennis Kucinich (D-OH) today created an opening for the single payer health care movement by winning adoption of an amendment which eliminates a federal barrier to states choosing to enact single payer health plans. The amendment won on a bipartisan basis during lengthy committee action on HR 3200, America’s Affordable Health Choices Act.

“Although the amendment does not create a single payer health care system, it removes a major obstacle for any state that wishes to pursue the single payer option. This amendment builds on the momentum of the national movement for single payer health care,” said Kucinich.

“For years there has been a growing support for a fundamental change in the way we look at health care in this country. A single payer health care plan is the best and most tested way to provide health care for everyone while increasing quality and controlling costs,” added Kucinich.

The Kucinich amendment removes a legal obstacle to states that choose single payer plans. The Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) pre-empts legislating health care reform at a state level if the state efforts challenge employer-based health care plans.

[Lorien]

8. Wow, that's an amazing spin! Trying to steal Vermont's thunder to glorify

your personal hero? Pathetic. Obama DOES NOT back single payer. It was "Off the table"; or did you forget that?

The credit belongs ENTIRELY to the people of Vermont.

[KittyWampus]

9. You really have no idea what happened do you? Proof that some liberals aren't as well informed

as they pretend to be.

And Obama isn't my "hero". Did it make you feel good to say that?

[Shagbark Hickory]

3. damn. That was quick! They just brought this up a few months ago.

Not even. What was it, January?

In my state, it's taken years just to let counties decide on whether we should be allowed to buy alcohol on sunday.

[cali]

5. nah, this has been brewing in Vermont for years

but they did take action pretty quickly following the release of Hsiu's recommendations.

[Shagbark Hickory]

7. Right, Those recommendations were brough before your legislative body in Jan or Feb

were they not?
I guess there wasn't any resistance.

will be interesting to see how the insurance companies handle this. I don't think they're going to take it lying down.

[jpak]

4. K&R - and send a copy to LepPage

yup