Editorials

VTDigger This commentary is by Julie Wasserman of Burlington, a health policy consultant working independently. She worked for Vermont state government for over 25 years; her jobs included director of Vermont’s dual eligible initiative at the Agency of Human Services, division director of policy and planning for the Department of Aging and Disabilities, and legislative […]

  Brattleboro Reformer OneCare, Vermont’s “Accountable Care Organization” (ACO), operates the “All Payer” (AP) system that Vermont adopted a few years ago. It is frequently in the news these days, but even people who are heavily involved in health care issues don’t fully understand what it is, how it works, and why it supposedly benefits […]

  VTDigger This commentary is by Mary Alice Bisbee of Montpelier, a former hospital and nursing home social worker and a sixth-generation Vermonter who may be reached at maryalicebisbee@gmail.com. A few months ago, several Vermont nonprofits — including Vermont Healthcare for All, Vermont League of Women Voters and Vermont Physicians for a National Health Program […]

VTDigger Editor’s note: This commentary is by Patrick Flood, the former commissioner of the Department of Mental Health and the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living, and former deputy secretary of the Agency of Human Services. He is now retired and lives in Woodbury. The health care reform debacle continues and is only getting […]

  Julie Wasserman, MPH Health Policy Consultant TO: Green Mountain Care Board RE: Comments on OneCare Vermont All Payer Model 2021 ACO Budget FROM: Julie Wasserman, MPH DATE: December 15, 2020 __________________________________________________________ Thank you for the opportunity to comment on OneCare’s 2021 Budget. The following comments focus on five critical areas: OneCare’s ACO Model, OneCare’s […]

  VTDigger Primary Care is the foundational to Vermont’s all payer model. Yet, in the middle of a pandemic with primary care practices struggling to survive, OneCare Vermont has chosen to reduce payments to these practices. OneCare is Vermont’s sole accountable care organization and as such exercises influence over the system. OneCare recently decided to […]

  VTDigger Editor’s note: This commentary is by Vicki Harrison MSN of Barnard, retired from 45 years in social work and community health nursing, with a subspecialty in mental health and substance abuse. Believe it or not, “social determinants of health” have been a main study of social work and community health nursing for 100+ […]

  VTDigger Editor’s note: This commentary is by Patrick Flood, the former commissioner of the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Disabilities, Aging and Independent Living and former deputy secretary of the Agency of Human Services. He is now retired and lives in East Calais. Finally. Thanks to Auditor Doug Hoffer, the people of […]

  Valley News No one can deny we are in a health care crisis, and no flyovers or banners can adequately thank the front-line workers in our hospitals and caretakers at home right now. What would express our gratitude is crafting and supporting universal health care, such as “Medicare for All.” So, while we wait […]

  VTDigger Opponents of Medicare for All like to scare people by warning about a “government takeover” of health care.  Let’s get serious: American health care was taken over long ago by insurance companies and other commercial interests. We need to take health care back from them. What does that mean exactly? Start with the […]