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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on May 5, 2011, at 19:59:47
And 28+% of phycians will not practice in Vermont. Phillipa
From Medscape Medical News
Vermont Passes Plan for Universal Healthcare
Robert LowesAuthors and Disclosures May 5, 2011 In a 94 to 49 vote today, the state House in Vermont sealed the deal on a bill to eventually create a publicly financed universal healthcare system that some supporters dub "single payer."
With the state Senate already having given its approval last week, the bill will now go to Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin, who is eager to sign it into law.
Today's action completes the second round of voting for the bill. Both chambers of the Vermont legislature had approved earlier versions, but a HouseSenate conference committee had to iron out minor differences and send the bill back for additional votes.
The legislation establishes a state health insurance exchange mandated by the new healthcare reform law called the Affordable Care Act (ACA) through which individuals and small businesses can purchase coverage. The bill envisions this exchange becoming a publicly financed health plan called Green Mountain Care that is available to all Vermont residents. Proponents of Green Mountain Care have touted it as a single-payer system, but the bill allows individuals covered under the state plan to buy supplemental policies from private insurers. In addition, individuals can keep the insurance coverage they already have.
For these and other reasons, a group called Physicians for a National Health Program contends that the Vermont bill falls short of a true single-payer model. Although Governor Shumlin disagrees with that assessment, lawmakers removed the expression "single-payer system" from the bill and replaced it with "universal and unified health system."
Under the ACA, states can obtain waivers to opt out of federal healthcare reform requirements and enact equivalent statewide reforms similar to the kind underway in Vermont beginning in 2017. Shumlin and others hope that Congress passes a pending bill that would move the opt-out date to 2014. States securing waivers will receive the ACA funding that they are otherwise entitled to. Nevertheless, Vermont lawmakers still face the job of devising a comprehensive plan to pay for their new system.
Vermont's roadmap for universal healthcare coverage and a publicly financed health plan has received mixed reviews from physicians in that state. According to a survey conducted by Democratic state Rep. George Till, MD, who voted for the legislation, 44.2% of physicians support the single-payer concept, and 45.6% oppose it. Opponents tend to be specialists, who are more likely than primary care physicians to view the new system as financially unattractive. In addition, 28.4% of physicians say they would likely stop practicing medicine in Vermont if the proposed reforms come to fruition.
Posted by sigismund on May 6, 2011, at 2:03:12
In reply to Vermont Passes Bill For Universal Healthcare, posted by Phillipa on May 5, 2011, at 19:59:47
I thought I could handle Vermont.
And doctors aren't much use when it comes to dying.
It's nice and cool.
And politically there is less difference.
Perhaps I should move?
Posted by europerep on May 6, 2011, at 17:19:55
In reply to Vermont Passes Bill For Universal Healthcare, posted by Phillipa on May 5, 2011, at 19:59:47
Well, if those 28% of physicians move out of the state - they will hardly stop practicing and apply for unemployment benefits - Vermont should have no problem attracting other doctors from around the US who believe in equal access to health care for everybody.
For me, this is really good news! VT seems like a good place to live actually.
Posted by sigismund on May 6, 2011, at 19:11:03
In reply to Re: Vermont Passes Bill For Universal Healthcare, posted by europerep on May 6, 2011, at 17:19:55
When doctors go on strike the death rate plummets.
It's very important, as you get older, to stay out of hospital.
You'll get some idiot wanting to cure you of pneumonia.
Posted by Phillipa on May 6, 2011, at 19:25:16
In reply to Re: Vermont Passes Bill For Universal Healthcare, posted by sigismund on May 6, 2011, at 19:11:03
Sigi you know that is true. Had a lot of patients in 90's who had never seen a doc til that hospitalization and some never left. Advise avoid docs especially unhappy ones with surgical knives!!!! PJ
Posted by Zyprexa on May 10, 2011, at 7:42:44
In reply to Vermont Passes Bill For Universal Healthcare, posted by Phillipa on May 5, 2011, at 19:59:47
Ya!! Now if all the states will do that!
Atleast in NC we have inclusive health. Run by the state for people with pre-existing medical conditions. And its afordable.
Posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2011, at 19:37:36
In reply to Re: Vermont Passes Bill For Universal Healthcare, posted by Zyprexa on May 10, 2011, at 7:42:44
What's inclusive health? Preexisting conditions? Are you saying NC is different good or bad? Thanks Phillipa
Posted by Zyprexa on May 12, 2011, at 2:43:46
In reply to Re: Vermont Passes Bill For Universal Healthcare » Zyprexa, posted by Phillipa on May 10, 2011, at 19:37:36
Inclusive health is good! Its state run health insurance for people with health conditions that are uninsurable or too expensive. Costs about 300-400 a month.
This is the end of the thread.
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