The article “With a flurry of legislation, Vermont lawmakers try to bring down health care costs” was interesting in how many disparate bills are taking a whack at the impossible. I am not criticizing the bills or the courageous efforts of our legislators in proffering them, except to reiterate what has been obvious all along to all concerned: you can’t cure chaos by continuing to apply band-aids.
Yet, I found it galling for the opposition of the status quo against one of these bills, H.766. This is the “provider burden bill.” It is trying to make it easier for doctors to provide actual care rather than battle perennial red tape, especially the insurance tactic of delaying or denying care known as “prior authorizations.” continue reading