Maintaining the public trust in politics can often be about perception. By that measure, House Speaker Shap Smith’s decision to appoint former state Sen. Jim Leddy to the Health Care Reform Commission runs counter to the public interest.
Dr. Deb Richter, chairwoman of the health care advocacy group Vermont Health Care for All, is calling for Leddy’s removal because of his ties to AARP, formerly known as the American Association of Retired Persons. Richter insists Leddy’s ties to AARP disqualify him to be a member of the commission according to law.
Leddy serves as the volunteer president of the Vermont chapter of AARP, a major lobbying force in Washington on a range of issues including health care reform. Members can also buy AARP-branded health insurance through a separate, for-profit company. Millions of people nationwide buy AARP-branded health insurance and the organization derives more income from its insurance business than from membership dues.
AARP maintains Leddy has no direct ties to the insurance industry because the organization’s insurance business is conducted by a separate entity.
A law passed this year forbids members of the Health Care Reform Commission from having any connection or interest in a health care provider or insurer. The commission will pick the consultant who will recommend to the Legislature plans for universal health care coverage, including a single-payer system.
Smith said he maintains his faith in Leddy to be an unbiased member of the commission: "Anybody who knows Jim Leddy knows he marches to his own drummer. … I have no concerns he will be beholden to anyone."
Richter said the individual’s character is not the issue, telling VPR, "This is not in any way castigating Jim Leddy."
The issue of conflict of interest, once raised, will be difficult to erase from the public consciousness. By raising the issue, Richter has made the character of the individual immaterial.
Health care is already a highly charged issue. This year’s debate over national health insurance reform has shown many people highly suspicious of any changes proposed by government. That means those in Montpelier must do everything to diffuse the mistrust, including doing their best to wipe out any basis for suspecting undue influence from insurance companies. Public perception matters.