Article published Oct 26, 2009
Rutland Herald
Educate on single-payer
At a recent forum hosted by the Friends of the Ripton Church, physicians Jack Mayer of Middlebury and Jeff and Carrie Wulfman of Ripton, and Middlebury College professor Ellen Oxfeld stressed the urgent need for reforming American health care.
Dr. Mayer summarized the essence of the issue: We must make a moral commitment to health care as a human right, and not a commercial commodity. When we and our elected representatives acknowledge that our obligation is to the health of our people rather than to corporate profits, it will follow naturally that the only reasonable health-care system is one in which, as Ms. Oxfeld put it, everyone pays into one health-care "pot" (as opposed to buying individual premiums) and everyone receives health services as needed: "Everybody in, nobody out." A single-payer system is the only way to contain skyrocketing health-care costs over time. Every other modern democracy has demonstrated that it can be done effectively.
Both the Wulfmans described doctors’ overuse of expensive medical technology in cases where simpler approaches work as well or better, and patients’ demands for the latest tests and treatments, whether necessary or not. But they also agreed on the importance of a system that extends affordable health care to everyone.
Unfortunately, it seems clear that whatever bill Congress finally passes will extend the private insurance companies’ stranglehold on American health care. We therefore believe it’s time for Vermont to adopt its own single-payer plan, which could eventually become a model for the country. Bills S.88 and H.100 in the Vermont Senate and House, respectively, would establish such a state system. More than 200 residents of Addison County alone have signed a letter calling on health committee chairs Sen. Doug Racine and Rep. Steve Maier to hold hearings on these bills when the legislature reconvenes. Please contact your legislators and demand that these hearings be held.
And please attend an open meeting on Nov. 4 at 7 p.m. at the Addison County Counseling Services, Conference Room 109, Catamount Park, to learn real facts rather than hostile fiction regarding the very successful Canadian single-payer health care system.
JUDY AND MICHAEL OLINICK
Middlebury