Letters

From Essex ReporterBy: Ellen Oxfeld There has been much talk about a new study commissioned by the Vermont Medical Society, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and a number of other groups. It estimates the costs for a Vermont single-payer plan as being more than that estimated by another study commissioned by the state and conducted by […]

St. Albans Messenger To the Editor: In his editorial, “Looming questions for Vt. Legislators” (1/7/2014), Emerson Lynn raises questions about the feasibility of Vermont implementing a single payer system in 2017. Several of his concerns need to be addressed. First Lynn raises the issue of cost. He points out that some studies have estimated that […]

Times Argus Sen. Joe Benning takes a page from the national party playbook on opposing Obamacare when he criticizes Vermont’s present work on universal, affordable and accessible health care. First, he sows seeds of doubt about the finances involved. Next, he spreads fear about the lack of infrastructure development. Then he calls for definite dollar […]

The Commons I am a fortunate 20-year beneficiary of America’s single-payer federal health insurance, Medicare. While it needs major improvement, it has excellent coverage and acceptance. Medicare provides:1) Free, fast, easy enrollment. Applicants must prove citizenship and payment into the system.2) Insurance for seniors, disabled people, and those with two specific disorders.3) Insurance independent of […]

Times Argus A friend who lives in Vancouver, British Columbia, recently left her high-pressure job for one with less stress and two months off per year. Deb and her partner, Mike, who are both in their mid- to late 50s, wanted more time to travel and enjoy a more relaxed life. Fortunately, because of Canada’s […]

Vermont Standard To The Editor, Former senatorial candidate Dick Tracy’s column (“ACA: A Lump of Coal,” 12/27) is 634 words long, and it presents an error of fact or reasoning on an average of every two sentences. To address each within the Vermont Standard’s suggested editorial guidelines would require a letter at least four time […]

Brattleboro Reformer Editor of the Reformer: I am a fortunate 20-year beneficiary of America’s single-payer federal health insurance, Medicare. While it needs improvement, it has excellent coverage and acceptance. Medicare provides: Free, fast, easy enrollment. Applicants must prove citizenship, paying into the system; insurance for seniors 65 and older, disabled and two specific disorders; insurance […]

Rutland Herald The best method of providing excellent health insurance for all Americans is to have a single-payer plan, and that plan should be Medicare. Statistical polls show that people on Medicare are most satisfied with their plan. So when is the government going to provide Medicare for all Americans? Obamacare is a good start, […]

Burlington Free Press The recent study funded by the Vermont Medical Society, the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and other organizations opposed to a unified payment system (“single-payer financing”) for health care (“Outside report raises concerns about Vermont’s universal health care plan,” Nov. 14) beggars belief. This new study by a Washington consulting firm concluded that […]

Burlington Free Press The recently released report by Washington, D.C., consultants Avalere calls into question promised savings from a single-payer health care system. Skeptics and opponents of Green Mountain Care want to see the money: where are the savings promised by Dr. Hsaio when he urged Vermont to go for single payer? Are the savings […]