Vermont for Single Payer

Vermont Voices is a collection of health care related stories from around the state. They are told by individuals, caregivers, and health care professionals. They focus on the devastating effect the health insurance industry has on individuals, families and businesses.

Our goal is to continue to grow the voices and reasons for moving to an inclusive health care system. Please click here and add your story to our Vermont Voices page.

By, Donald Bodwell, Brandon

My wife and I are retired teachers from CT, and we have to purchase health insurance through our last employer for seven more years until age 65. The cost of that family policy is $1,660 per month, offset $400 by subsidies from the Retirement Board and the collective bargaining agreement, which means our cost is $1,220 per month. Whatever the cost is in 2012, it will be an additional $220 out of our pockets when one of the subsidies expires. In total, we spent over $17,000 dollars this year on premiums, dental, and vision care. Thankfully we do not have any prescription needs!

My point is, when one spends 34% on health care under the present system, it is clearly time for a change. And the only sane reform is the single payer one.

I know that many folks have circumstances that are far worse..For all of us,please, let’s work tirelessly for the single payer solution.

By, Dr. Adam Sorscher, Hanover, NH

I see people struggling because of lack or insurance or insufficient insurance everyday in my practice as a family doctor. Not infrequently, one will say to me “I guess I am one of those stories about why we need health care reform” and I will reply, “your story is not that unusual — I see 3 or 4 people like you everyday!!

I have a patient who is 60 years old with diabetes and hypertension. He struggles to afford his medications (co-payments) and to afford healthy food choices. His wife takes very good care of him. When they came recently, she remarked that she wished she had me for a doctor but can’t afford to come to my clinic — instead, she goes to the “Good Neighbor” clinic which I guess charges according to ability to pay. I was surprised — the husband works hard for the city roads dept. “Isn’t your wife on your health insurance plan?”. “Can’t afford to add her”, was his reply. It made me reflect on what a sad state of affairs it is that he can have a full time job with the city and work long hours, and yet doesn’t make enough to purchase health insurance for his wife. I am sure that a generation ago, a full time job generally supported an entire family’s needs. When I mentioned this to the patient, he informed that he actually works two jobs and still struggles to meet the bills.