Vermont House votes on single payer. Passes easily in preliminary vote

[cali]

the final vote comes today.

House Gives Preliminary Approval To Health Care Bill

Wednesday, 03/23/11 5:50pm and Thursday, 03/24/11 7:34am

Bob Kinzel - Montpelier, Vt.


(Host) After a full day and evening of debate, the Vermont House gave preliminary approval to health care reform legislation that's designed to put the state on the path toward a single payer system.

The vote on the measure was 89 to 47.

Backers of the bill say it's needed because the state's current health care approach is broken. But opponents say it could dismantle the high quality system that's already in place.

VPR's Bob Kinzel reports:

(Kinzel) The legislation is one of Governor Peter Shumlin's top priorities and represents the signature issue of his first term in office.

The heart of the bill is the creation of a 5 person Health Care Board, modeled after the Public Service Board, which will oversee virtually every aspect of health care in the state.

<snip>

http://www.vpr.net/news_detail/90403/

[Little Star]

1. Go Vermont!........

I am really jealous that you live in such a great state Cali! Ya got Bernie too!!!!

:thumbsup:

[lz1122]

2. Finally this is it

Interesting to see they went with the 5 person board. I remember reading an article that talked about three ways of handling the system. One option was the government overseeing everything with the other two being the 5 person board overseeing and if I remember correctly the third was a creation of nonprofits handling it.

I haven't had time to read the bill but I am wondering how new residents of the State will be handled? Anyone know if one moves to Vermont and obtains a drivers license or some other form of identification to prove residency are they covered immediately or is there a waiting period since they are a new resident?

[Pacifist Patriot]

3. If they could just move Vermont closer to the equator I'd move there in a heartbeat.

[cali]

5. summers are gorgeous. short, but gorgeous. autumns are gorgeous

alas, they're brief too. And so is our gorgeous spring. Yes, here we are at the end of March, still feet of snow on the ground.

[xchrom]

4. recommend

[ejpoeta]

6. i like this part:

But opponents say it could dismantle the high quality system that's already in place.

yeah, how would it do that? and is high quality really meaning high profits for private insurance companies?