Although legislation to restructure Vermont’s health care system doesn’t commit the state to a single payer system, supporters say it does put
the state on the path to such an approach. And that has some lawmakers concerned.
After
two full days of debate, the Vermont House has given its final approval to a health
care bill that puts the state on the path to having a universal health care plan as early as 2014.
Vermont’s business community is split over the health care legislation at the Statehouse that would put the state on the path to a single payer health care system.
Governor Peter Shumlin is encouraged by President Obama’s support for a bill that would allow states to design their own health care plans starting in 2014. Obama made the announcement during the governor’s recent trip to Washington.
Harvard professor of economics William Hsiao discusses his report on reforming Vermont’s health care system. Plus, VPR’s Bob Kinzel previews the Legislature’s reaction to the report.
Several
hundred people went to the Statehouse today to lobby for a single payer health
care system. Legislative
leaders promised they would explore the approach, but they didn’t
commit to having a vote on it this year.