Final Reading: Legislators try to revive universal health care plan

Like all noble quests, the latest approach to universal primary care began with a circle of trust. This is him in one of the high-backed red velvet chairs that line the front wall of the Capitol.

After lunch on Tuesday, Rep. Brian Cina, P/D Burlington, set the collective intent of ‘health care as a human right’ for a partial group of 59 three-party co-sponsors of the new bill before leaving. I suggested After a moment of silence, the legislators all rolled out in unison, led by Sheena, with Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman launching the rear.

In a ceremonial atmosphere, they traversed the Cedar Creek Room, down the back atrium, and through the cloakroom to their final destination, the small offices of the Legislative Counsel’s Drafting Unit. .

By comparison, the state’s efforts to provide universal access to affordable health care are less straightforward. In 2011, legislators passed Act 48, which created the Green Mountain Care Commission, and the state “provides universal access to and coverage for all Vermonters in high-quality, medically necessary health care services.” I promise.”

government at the time. Peter Shamlin announced in December 2014 that his 11.5% increase in payroll taxes and 9% increase in income taxes would be required after a survey revealed that he would be required to pay for his publicly funded universal health care program. Abandoned one Green Mountain Care dream.

But Cina and his co-sponsors argue that the need remains despite the Affordable Care Act and want their colleagues to reconsider the idea. The bill calls for a “phased implementation of Green Mountain Care,” starting with publicly funded primary care in the first year and adding preventive dentistry and vision in the second year, with no deductibles or copayments. increase.

“One of the biggest challenges for Vermonters right now is the lack of insurance,” says Cina. “Our uninsured rate is low, but the deductibles are so high and the out-of-pocket costs so high that many people cannot afford insurance.”

Olivia Shalow, director of free and referral clinics in Vermont and Danielle Barlow, director of People’s Health and Wellness Clinic in Barre, in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee room Tuesday morning. More than 11,500 people were treated last year at nine free clinics across the state, which rely primarily on volunteer clinicians, Shallow said. This is about 1,500 more than she will be in 2021.

At Barre, Barlow noted that more than half of the patients in his clinic actually had health insurance (either Medicaid or a private plan) but were unable to find a primary care provider or had to pay out-of-pocket. I said I couldn’t afford the cost.

Sheena said he did not expect the bill to go as written. Even testifying on the bill, he said, would be a triumph in his book, during which he enjoyed a pilgrimage with his colleagues. “I don’t think I’ve ever done this on an invoice,” he said.

— Kristen Fountain

know

“Poorly Chosen, Poorly Done, and Grossly Misleading”

These are the words used by Vermont Climate Council member Jared Duvall on Tuesday, and from Julie Moore, head of the Natural Resources Agency. Potential costs of proposed clean heat standardsBoth testified before members of the Senate Natural Resources and Energy Committee.

Duvall, who is also executive director of the Energy Action Network, which tracks and analyzes greenhouse gas emissions, said, “As a result of actions taken between now and 2030, the average household will lose a net 7,500 We expect to save dollars.” Pollution reduction requirements in the thermal sector. ”

Moore’s analysis focused on projected initial costs such as switching to electric heat pumps and weatherproofing homes. She said it could cost $1.2 billion to make the necessary changes and raise fuel prices by 70 cents per gallon for those who use kerosene, kerosene and propane. . She pleaded with her lawmakers to analyze the costs more carefully, describing her own analysis as the product of her “back-of-the-envelope mathematics.”

Duvall said it was impossible to know how clean heat standards would affect fuel prices until the program was in place, but “her analysis showed that the price effects on fossil fuels could be significant. I’m sure you’re exaggerating.”

“She testified that she was convinced she was wrong. “Big mistake.”

— Emma Cotton

On Monday, President Joe Biden announced that the federal government is planning to end Congress. Covid-19 emergency declaration The May 11 move could affect Vermonters’ ability to get vaccinations, testing, and treatment for illness.

The Covid-related National Emergency and Public Health Emergency Declaration has been in place since 2020, allowing various regulatory changes regarding insurance, healthcare systems, telemedicine, pharmacies, and vaccine licensing.

At a press conference on Tuesday, Gov. Phil Scott said the decision to end the state of emergency was appropriate because Covid “will only become part of our daily challenges.”

“We have survived this emergency. The vaccines we have are viable and we will be able to get some form of Covid booster every year, just like the regular flu,” said Scott. said.

Please check this out for details.

— Erin Petenko

On Monday, the House Appropriations Committee gave the go-ahead for the mid-year budget adjustment bill, Approximately $86 million in general fundingmuch of which is used for housing — prompted a finger-shake from Father Gov. Gov.

Gov. Phil Scott told reporters he was “very pleased” with the commission’s inclusion of many of his administration’s priorities in the BAA, but no additional spending was approved by the commission. As for it, Scott advised legislators to start tightening their old belts.

“The $86 million they added, the $87 million, and I’m worried about where it’s coming from,” Scott said. And I just want to watch the economy go downhill and see what helps us get through the next few years.”

Asked for his views on the commission’s $21 million proposal to extend the state’s Emergency Motel Housing Program through June 30, Scott said: I think that’s something we should discuss, but I think we’re making plans now. “Currently, the program is set for him to end at the end of March.

— Sarah Mirhoff

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