Vermont governor wants state single-payer system by 2014

[cali]

By Steven Nelson - The Daily Caller | Published: 4:28 PM 01/21/2011 | Updated: 4:46 PM 01/21/2011



Newly-elected Vermont Democratic Gov. Peter Shumlin wants to put a state-based single payer system in place by 2014. In an interview with Democracy Now! Shumlin said that the system may, if enacted, use one insurance company to insure all citizens.

Job-killing legislation? Shumlin said that to the contrary, his state would be a magnet for outside companies if employers would not need to provide insurance to their workers.

Shumlin said that the state would need waivers to re-allocate federal dollars to make the program happen.

“I’ve spoken with the president. We work together with our congressional delegation, with Secretary Sebelius” said Shumlin, “what they’re saying is, ‘As long as you’re not lowering standards,’ which we’re not, ‘we want to work with you. We want the states to be laboratories for change.’”

<snip>

Read more: http://dailycaller.com/2011/01/21/vermont-governor-wants-state-single-payer-system-by-2014/#ixzz1Bi5SCEK3

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Does he mean for just Vermont, or for the whole country?

Sounds like he means just Vermont...

:shrug:

[cali]

2. just for Vermont

He ran on the issue.

[bobbolink]

4. It is shaping up to be a state-by-state effort, like Canada was province by province.

That will make for some complications, but is much better than nothing.

California will probably go for it, now that they have a Gov who isn't likely to veto.

Colorado used to have a good measure(written by a republican doctor!) before the legislature, but it is now red, so not too likely. :(

There are other states lining up to do this, but I can't remember them off-hand.

[cali]

8. I hope other states pick up the ball on this

it's the only way to get there.

[bobbolink]

10. Bernie Sanders and Thom Hartmann have given a list of what states are likely, but

besides the ones I've mentioned, I can't remember them.

I used to have a memory.

I really do miss it.

[Catherina]

3. Insurance Execs Not Happy with Vermont's Single Payer Ideas

Insurance Execs Not Happy with Vermont's Single Payer Ideas

by Russell Mokhiber

Harvard Professor William Hsiao is a single payer supporter.

Twenty years ago, he helped push through a single payer system for Taiwan.

And now, he wants to do something similar in Vermont.

Over the past couple of months, Hsiao has been working feverishly – with a team of 20 researchers – to finish a report to the Vermont legislature on how to best implement a single payer system for the state.

Yesterday, he delivered his 132-page report.

...
There’s not a mention of the report in today’s big three newspapers – the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal or the Washington Post.

...

http://www.singlepayeraction.org/blog/?p=2687

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/sickaroundtheworld/


Rec'd.

[cali]

6. I'm sure they're hoping it won't go anywhere

If so, they don't know Peter Shumlin or the VT legislature.

[old mark]

12. I'll bet they are not! Fuck them all!...nt

[Shagbark Hickory]

5. I'll be watching this. It doesn't appear there is much resistance from...

the insurance cartels yet.
I think because a couple of the other proposals involve them.


This will be interesting to watch if they can get it and if so what happens with taxes. (Which they are also proposing to change now too, the tax code)

[Bonhomme Richard]

7. "state would be a magnet for outside companies"....BINGO n/t

[cali]

9. here's the vid from Democracy Now

http://www.democracynow.org/seo/2011/1/21/vermont_governor_peter_shumlin_moves_to

[old mark]

11. Maybe instead of moving to France, we should just move to Vermont...nt