Vermonters Weigh-In on Health Care Reform
It appears a single payer healthcare system, and very likely a public option, is off the tables in Washington D.C., at least for the time being. However that isn’t stopping some legislators in Montpelier from studying the possibility of adopting such systems on a statewide basis.
The chamber of the Vermont House was filled to capacity last Tuesday night, filled with people who wanted to provide input about what direction healthcare reform in Vermont should take. The Senate Health and Welfare Committee and the House Healthcare Committee hosted the hearing. U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders was a special guest. He updated those in attendance about what is going on in the world of healthcare in Washington D.C.
The majority of the people who turned out at the hearing supported the state adopting a single-payer state run system. Most of those in this camp argued that healthcare is a human right, thus everybody should have health coverage. However, a handful of people argued against government intervention. Among their arguments was that the government should stay out of healthcare especially considering the economic challenges the state is currently facing. They noted this is no time to heap on additional taxes onto already burdened tax payers and businesses.
Both healthcare committees in Montpelier will be studying the issue this session.