Activists to Vermont Legislators: Enact Single Payer Now

The national health care debate may be centered on health care reform and the GOP's bogus claims of repeal, but many states are fighting a different battle. In particular, proponents of the single-payer health care system are realizing that now is their time to shine. And in Vermont, a single-payer system is getting closer than ever.

This past Wednesday, advocates packed a Vermont Statehouse to show their support for a healthcare system that promises to improve and expand care and lower costs. Among them were members of the Healthcare is a Human Right Campaign, started by Vermont Workers' Center. The advocates delivered more than 4,000 petition signatures to legislators demanding that Vermont lead the nation in the adoption of a universal healthcare system.

And the state is well-poised to do so. Last year, the state passed Act 128, the "Universal Access to Healthcare Act," which mandates the creation of a healthcare system that upholds the human rights principles of universality, equity and healthcare as a public good. In redoing their system, Vermont sought an outside consultant, Dr. William Hsiao, a Harvard health economist who was integral in implementing Taiwan's single-payer system.

Dr. Hsiao will deliver three healthcare system options on January 19th; at least one of them will be a single-payer option. Advocates, like the Physicians for a National Health Program, are urging the Legislature to choose the right one -- a single-payer system, in which a single public or semi-public agency would organize health payments, but individuals would still get their care from private entities. Among other things, in a single-payer system all residents would be covered for medically necessary services and would still be able to chose where they received care.

The proposal has support from legislators, including the Governor Peter Shumlin, who has said that he wants to adopt a single-payer program for the state. But the Healthcare is a Human Right Campaign notes that health insurance and pharmaceutical industries are likely to use their large budgets to advertise against the proposal and set-up front groups to attack changes to the system.

What happens in Vermont could help pave the way for similar enactments in other states. And many people recognize that single-payer is the only way to truly get the for-profit insurance companies from dictating costs and care. The PHNP is asking physicians and others to sign their Open Letter urging the Vermont Legislature to enact a single-payer health program, regardless of where you live. PHNP will present these signatures to the lawmakers when the final decision nears.

Photo credit: NESRI