'Vermont Health Care for All' Supports S.88 Changes

Vermont Health Care for All sent this email April 6 supporting the changes Susan's Appropriations Committee made to S.88.

Last week a lot of work was done to S.88 and we expect it to be on the floor of the Senate for a vote this week. Please email your Senators and ensure we pass a strong and viable S.88 to the House. We are endorsing the version put out by the Senate Appropriations Committee, version 1.6.

As we've reported, S.88 was significantly changed by the Senate Health Committee in February and we were extremely disappointed that it was no longer a single payer bill, required system designs be vetted through a very political board, and mandated ACO's to be part of the plans put forward. Last week the Senate Appropriations Committee made some very significant and positive changes to the bill and we are ready to support S.88 with those changes including:

  • Replacing the Board oversight with the Health Commission which is controlled by the Legislature, has more diversity and allows for local expertise to be part of the process. This means the process will be overseen by a reliable entity not a political entity.
  • Stipulating the money appropriated is for hiring a consultant with experience in system building. They've allocated $250,000 for the bill but also allowed for grants to help with raising additional funds. This clarification means it would be possible for them to hire Dr. Hsiao to oversee the research if they deem him to be the best option.
  • Allowing flexibility to the number plans studied by requiring two or more system design studies, one of which is a single payer system, instead of insisting on three designs.
  • Including specific parameters for the study should result in data that is useful in developing a cost-effective system and ensuring businesses and others understand the of the positive net impact of the plan that is chosen.
  • Removing requirement of unstudied and costly ACO's by allowing them to be considered but not mandated in the plans.

    • S.88 is still not a single payer bill but we support the changes the Appropriations Committee made and urge you to please email your Senators and ask them to vote for S.88 (version 1.6) with these amendments and any others that would strengthen the bill in these ways.

    The bill has been returned to the Senate Health Committee where they have to vote to accept or amend these changes before sending it to the floor. We expect it to come to the Senate floor this week and will let you know as soon as the date and time for that discussion and vote is set. It is very important we have single payer supporters in the Senate for this vote. It is likely to be a lively debate with several amendments proposed so it is really important you email your Senator now and share the type of bill you would like them to support.

    Thank you for taking action.

    Sincerely,

    Dr. Deb Richter & the Vermont for Single Payer Team

    Let's work together to bring new leadership to the governor's office, to build a better future based on Vermont's values and traditions.

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    Thank you for your support! Please contact me to visit your area to explore the challenges and successes in your part of Vermont, or just to talk.

    Sincerely,

    Susan Bartlett

    PS: Your contribution today will help me continue to talk about the importance of creating jobs, lowering the cost of health care and saving money while improving education.

    Thank you,
    Bartlett for Governor