By John Zicconi
Vermont Press Bureau
February 8, 2006
MONTPELIER — Vermont’s Progressive caucus on Tuesday harshly criticized the Democrat-controlled Legislature for not conducting studies that could show a single-payer, publicly-financed health care system is the most cost-effective way to provide universal health coverage for all Vermonters.
Led by radio talk show host Anthony Pollina — who is considering a run for lieutenant governor — Progressives accused Democrats of being too quick to compromise with Republican Gov. James Douglas, who last year vetoed a health care reform bill that called for broad public financing and raised taxes.
“What we are seeing is politics as usual,” Pollina said. “We want what is best for the people.”
Progressives are angry that legislative consultant Kenneth Thorpe was instructed not to do a cost analysis of a single-payer system.
Thorpe did a similar study for Massachusetts that concluded a universal health care system paid for through broad public financing would save that state billions more than other reforms, Progressives said.
“For some reason the Legislature has decided not to study that option,” Pollina said. “But we need that information. … We want that position put back on the table.”
House Speaker Gaye Symington, D-Jericho, said Thorpe was instructed not to pursue a single-payer system because it has no Republican support, which is needed to pass health care reform.
“We have a governor who will not move on a single payer health care bill,” Symington said. “We focused on areas that we thought were more useful.”
The House Health Care Committee is expected to propose a reform measure this week that calls on both public and private methods to provide health care.
The proposal is expected to call for those who are now insured through their employer to remain that way. A separate public system will likely be proposed to cover the 64,000 Vermonters who now lack coverage.
Symington said the Legislature’s joint Health Care Commission, which employs Thorpe, has a four-year charge. A single-payer study could be conducted in the future, but with no chance of such a system becoming law in 2006 the information was not a priority.
“First things first,” Symington said.
She then chided Progressives for calling a press conference to publicly complain rather than working with Democrats to reform Vermont’s health care system in a way that can gain broad political support.
“That shows there is a partisan agenda behind this rather than working constructively to get things done,” Symington said. “I’m hoping we can get back on track.”
Progressives said it is impossible to debate what is best for Vermont if information is purposely withheld. They encouraged Democrats to have Thorpe conduct a single-payer financial study, which they believe can be completed in a month.
“How will we know it won’t work if they won’t do the study?” Pollina said.
“The real issue with health care is cost,” he added. “Legislators should be focusing on ways to lower costs for families and employers and move to a rational system not tied to employment. That should be the center of debate.”
Contact John Zicconi at john.zicconi@rutlandherald.com