Vermont Moves Closer to Single Payer Delivery

Mass. has long served as the flashpoint for the national debate on the merits and shortcomings of universal coverage. But the holy grail of many activists — particularly those on the furthest left — has been on the possibility of a state to grant single payer coverage and healthcare delivery. The state of Vermont seems to inching closer to that goal.

The state’s legislature (House) gave preliminary approval to a health care reform bill (introduced by that state’s governor) that will create a five member Health Care Board which will oversee virtually every aspect of health care in the state. This body will additionally establish a total state budget for health care, will review hospital budgets and private insurance rates, and it will design a new payment system for health care providers. Wow.