Blogs

Breaking News: Rep. Steve Maier, a Democrat from Middlebury who has served as chair of the House Healthcare Committee is resigning as a State Rep and not seeking re-election to pursue other job opportunities.

See story in Addison Independent:
http://www.addisonindependent.com/201008breaking-rep-maier-withdraws-hou...

[Report from Peg Franzen, Healthcare Is A Human Right Campaign, http://www.workerscenter.org/healthcare]

Below, I have copied Hsiao's outline of the presentation that he gave outlining his teams workplan in developing the design options as called for in S.88/Act 128

There were questions about ERISA and about the cost effectiveness of Single Payer but the one major concern that several members of the Commission voiced was related to the "economic impact on the state's economy, which Dr. Hsiao deemed a low priority area for the workplan.

The Health Care is a Human Right campaign took the "We're All in the Same Boat" float to the Barre Heritage Day Parade today and was greeted with cheers and thanks by the crowd for all we do. We gave out hundreds of buttons and led the crowd in chants of "What do we want?" "Health care as a Human Right" "When do we want it?" "NOW!" Pictures to follow.

The US Social Form report back event at the Workers' Center on Thursday night had a huge turnout of over 50 people....those who actually attended the USSF in Detroit, Michigan June 21-26, and those who were not able to travel to Detroit but wanted to hear what it was all about from those who did. The Workers' Center contingent was joined by other local groups who went to the Forum (WILPF, GJEP Incinerator Project) to share their experiences of meeting with other activist groups from around the U.S.

The Joint Fiscal Committee met this morning and were told that the contract with Dr. Hsaio is still being worked out but they hoped to have it signed today.... I was also told that the bids from all 3 of the bidders will be posted on the Health Care Commission's website by next Tuesday,, July 20th. www.leg.state.vt.us./CommissiononHealthCareReform

The commission is scheduled to meet on Aug. 5th in Room 10 at the Statehouse at 1pm. No agenda was posted but I heard that Dr. Hsaio would be there.

Tuesday morning, the Joint Fiscal Committee accepted the recommendation of the Health Care Reform Commission and voted unanimously to hire Dr. Hsaio to be the consultant to design,as called for in Act 128, at least three options, including implementation plans, for creating a single system of health care which ensures all Vermonters have access to and coverage for affordable, quality health services through a public or private single-payer or multipayer system".

All design options must meet the principles of the Healthcare is a Human Right Campaign

This afternoon the Health Care Reform Commission unanimously selected Dr Hsaio and his team to design the 3 health care systems options as called for in Act 128 (S.88) Dr. Hsaio has been actively engaged in designing health system reforms and universal health insurance programs for many countries.

The Commission's choice will now be presented to the Joint Fiscal Committee tomorrow morning for acceptance or rejection.

Today the policy committee for the Healthcare is a Human Right campaign submitted the following comments to the Healthcare Reform Commission for the members' consideration as they choose the consultant to design Vermont's new healthcare system:

1. Thank you for serving on Vermont's healthcare reform commission. As you know, Act 128 requires you to recommend one or more consultants to design a new healthcare system for Vermont. This work is of historical importance, and Vermonters are relying on you to choose wisely.

"We need you to win in Vermont," emphasized a healthcare provider from California at the Workers' Center's well-attended workshop at the US Social Forum this morning. Organized together with the International Worker Justice Campaign, our workshop explored the nuts and bolts of "Human Rights Campaigns to Build Power at the State Level: Healthcare and Workers' Rights."