Times Argus

The Wall Street debacle cost trillions in undisclosed arrangements over and above the bailout-TARP funds which caught the public eye. None of the government intervention has addressed the underlying issues hindering the economy. One wonders if the house of financial cards will collapse again tomorrow or the day after. Furthermore, how we are going to pay for all of this?

This illustrates why I think it is so important we address the health care issue at the root. We are spending far too much of our health care dollar on insurance companies and pharmaceutical companies. Every year premiums rise, and without fail, coverage weakens, and fewer people have the luxury of health insurance. The unmet need for medical care in the United States and Vermont is staggering.

It is a good time for people to put their heads together and deliver health care to all citizens — without insurance-infested profits being added to the cost. It will no doubt require ingenuity and dedication. Dr. Deb Richter and Con Hogan have made an extensive study of the cost and delivery system of health care in Vermont. It is a good starting place for legislative action. It will take brave, likeminded and visionary leaders to get this job done. I urge Vermonters to give this idea consideration and help the Vermont Legislature lead the country on meaningful health care reform. We will have a more perfect union.

Jill Charbonneau
Middlebury
Executive vice president
Vermont State Labor Council AFL-CIO