Democracy to prevail in health reform

The recent news report on the meeting between IBM and other business executives and Gov. Peter Shumlin provided a chilling reminder of how government usually functions in the United States. The executives are shown entering the governor’s office smiling and bristling with confidence, and perhaps even a little arrogance, that they are the ones who […]

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Father of single payer honored in Canada

A lot of static is being generated to blind Vermonters to the truth of the universal health care program being developed in our Legislature. One of the biggest boogie men is the Canadian system, where people supposedly wait weeks for care and months for surgery. If any of this were accurate, how does one explain […]

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Single Payer plan a big plus for Vermonters

While in a meeting recently, the subject of the legislation regarding the single-payer health plan currently being worked on in the Vermont Legislature came up for discussion. I admitted to the group that I did not understand it or how it would work. Then my education began. I am sure I am not the only […]

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Health care reform helps self-employed

As one of thousands of self-employed Vermonters who cannot afford health insurance, the health care legislation currently in the Statehouse is very exciting. Many would have us believe that a universal health care system would take away from our freedom and choice, but I can tell you by personal experience that the current system does […]

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Act on opportunity for health care for all

Now that insurance companies and nay-sayers are stepping in to derail our long, long battle to have health care recognized as a right of citizenship rather than something paid for by private insurers, it is urgent that we, the majority of Vermonters, let our opinions be known to our legislators. Insurance is wonderful for life, […]

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Past time to go slow on health reform

As we look at health care reform in Vermont, people are talking a lot about having to wait to get the care we need and that there will be long lines and rationing. I don’t know what health care system they are living in, but what they are describing sure sounds a lot like the […]

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Health care should be a public good

As someone who struggled with access to health care during college, I firmly believe that health care should be treated as a public good. The last thing that college students should have to think about is whether they will be able to stay in school or pay for doctor visits and high priced medications. This […]

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Take a look at health care

(I am writing in response to Val Loureiro’s letter of April 13.) Take a look at health care. The writer cites longer waiting times, cuts in services, doctors leaving, and the possibility of smaller hospitals closing as the potential pitfalls of health system reform. I’m curious: Has Ms. Loureiro tried to access health care in […]

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Single-payer would value what’s important

  My fellow physician, Dr. C.W. Cobb, asserts in his recent letter that under a single-payer system physicians would be taken for granted (Single-payer takes doctors for granted, March 30). Yes, single-payer systems take doctors for granted. They take for granted our education, training and experience. They take for granted our dedication to our patients. […]

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Does Business Call the Shots?

  The recent WCAX news report on the meeting between IBM and other business executives and Gov. Peter Shumlin provided a chilling reminder of how government usually functions in the United States. The executives are shown entering the governor’s office smiling and bristling with confidence, and perhaps even a little arrogance, that they are the […]

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