Universal health care funding to be based on ‘ability to pay’

Vermont Business Magazine By: Timothy McQuiston Citing as examples of what Vermont has done for renewable energy and the local food movement, Governor Peter Shumlin pushed for universal health care in a speech made at the closing of the Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility annual meeting. The 24th annual VBSR meeting was held Wednesday at […]

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DEADLINE FOR HEALTH CARE FINANCING PLAN A MERCURIAL TARGET FOR LAWMAKERS

 VT Digger By: MORGAN TRUE It happened on several occasions throughout the legislative session, first with the budget and then with a health care reform bill. House Republicans tried, but were unable, to put a deadline in statute for Gov. Peter Shumlin to deliver a financing plan for Green Mountain Care, Vermont’s planned universal health […]

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Legislative leadership rescues health care reform bill

Vermont DiggerBy: Morgan TrueDemocratic leadership has found a way to resurrect a health care reform bill that earlier in the week looked as though it was on life-support. In its new form, S.252, a bill that originally set deadlines for the development of financing plans for Green Mountain Care, now includes no scheduled date requirement […]

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HEALTH CARE REFORM BILL COULD FALL APART IN CONFERENCE

 Vermont Digger By: MORGAN TRUE After gathering testimony from dozens of witnesses and spending hours crafting a bill in several committees starting in January, the Legislature’s primary piece of health care legislation this session is likely going nowhere. Sen. Tim Ashe, D/P-Chittenden, is chair of the Senate Committee on Finance. Photo by Roger Crowley/for VTDiggerSen. Tim […]

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The Ken Thorpe problem

 Vermont Digger Lots of buzzing in political circles the past week or so, regarding the possible existence of a Plan B on health care reform. A mysterious Plan… from beyond the limits of our galaxy… threatening the American Way of Life™ with its hideously alien ideas… Who Can Stop This Menace From The Stars?… Er. […]

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CONSULTANT’S MEMO STIRS SINGLE-PAYER CONTROVERSY

 Vermont Digger Press reports about a supposed “Plan B” that would replace Gov. Peter Shumlin’s universal health care proposal has stirred controversy again this week in the Statehouse. But a memo from a legislative consultant outlining a watered down version of single-payer doesn’t appear to have backing from lawmakers – or at least not publicly. […]

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Canadians spending more out of pocket on health care

 CBC News   Faster increases in spending for lower-income households may result in ‘inequities,’ StatsCan says CBC News Posted: Apr 16, 2014 10:26 AM ET Last Updated: Apr 16, 2014 10:44 PM ET Report highlights dental surgery rate in kids 2:15   Related Stories Unfilled Prescriptions, Dr. Brian Goldman Private health insurance in Canada deemed inefficient Treating poverty […]

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Shumlin Says Single-Payer Alternative Based On ‘Failed Model’

 Vermont Public Radio By JOHN DILLONGov. Peter Shumlin is dismissing a legislative consultant’s plan that lawmakers could use as an alternative to the administration’s single-payer health proposal. The concept memo was drafted for the Legislature by health care economist Ken Thorpe. His plan was conceived as an alternative to single-payer, and would extend health coverage […]

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