Editorials

VTDigger During my long life, I’ve chaired 13 statewide nonprofit organizations, including the former Fletcher Allen Hospital, and served as a trustee on nine others. The first was the Vermont Arts Council when I was 25 years old. I know and understand nonprofits and feel strongly about their governance and oversight responsibilities. I’ve expressed my […]

VTDigger This commentary is by Dr. Marvin Malek, an internist and member of the executive committee of Vermont Physicians for a National Health Program. He lives in Berlin. Thanks to Dr. Jane Katz Field for pointing out some of the implications of the Medicaid “unwinding” precipitated by the end of the Covid-related public health emergency. […]

VTDigger This commentary is by Ellen Schwartz of Brattleboro, campaign coordinator for the Vermont Workers’ Center. Over 1 million people nationally have been kicked off Medicaid since April, following Congress’ decision to end pandemic protections for Medicaid recipients. When Covid hit, it became apparent that the huge gaps in our health care system would leave […]

VTDigger This commentary is by Elayne Clift, who writes about health and social justice from her home in Brattleboro.  It’s no secret that America’s health care system is broken. Most of us can cite a litany of problems we’ve personally experienced. But few would include the travesty surrounding how health care costs are billed and […]

Bennington Banner Earlier last month, after mentioning certain health care related matters and needs to my counseling therapist, they asked me about my going to a primary care physician in order to address these health issues of mine. When I informed them that I have not had a primary care doctor for several years, as […]

Brattleboro Reformer By Kelly Cummings With lightning speed. That’s how quickly S.39 — An Act relating to compensation and benefits for members of the Vermont General Assembly, including health insurance — passed in the Senate. It didn’t hang on the wall or get sent to another committee to die. There were no hearings or studies […]

VTDigger This commentary is by Allen Gilbert, a former journalist, teacher, and ACLU-VT executive director. He lives in Worcester and is the author of “Equal Is Equal, Fair Is Fair,” a book on equity issues in Vermont. He is a board member of Vermont Health Care for All. Legislators need to continue on a course […]

VTDigger This commentary is by Marvin Malek, M.D. and MPH, an internist who lives in Berlin. Anyone who tunes into commercial television will find it impossible to avoid the deluge of TV ads promoting Medicare Advantage plans. The advertising is funded by the lavish profits these companies are raking in. Joe Namath, the great New […]

Vermont Political Observer Now that Crossover Day has come and gone, it’s now official: State lawmakers will consider giving themselves health care coverage but won’t consider the same for all the rest of us. On the Senate side, S.39 has emerged from the Government Operations Committee. It would significantly increase lawmakers’ pay from its current […]

VTDigger This commentary is by Ethan Parke of Montpelier, a former member of the Vermont Health Policy Council, a co-founder of Vermont Consumers’ Campaign for Health, and a current board member of Vermont Health Care for All.  The Senate Government Operations Committee has taken up S.39, which would “make members of the General Assembly eligible […]