Past Public Policy Updates

Like many organizations, VBSR will spend the next several weeks studying the report and weighing the pros and cons of the three options.
 
It is music to our ears to hear Dr. Hsiao describe a universal health care system for Vermont that will close the access gap and decrease costs immediately and in the long-term. We are also heartened to hear him say that most employers and workers in Vermont will not pay more for health care under the system he endorsed.
 
For nearly two decades, VBSR has advocated decoupling health care from employment.  Vermont businesses face difficult decisions when they see annual health insurance cost increases, including cutting back benefits or asking workers to pay a little more too.
 
Dr. Hsiao’s report made it clear Wednesday that this system is unsustainable. His vision for Vermont’s future health care system describes cost savings of about 25 percent over 10 years – while also increasing access to health care and growing jobs in key sectors of our economy.
 
As the Vermont Legislature goes forward debating the merits of the options, VBSR hopes that the discussion – both inside and outside the Statehouse – does not look like the national debate over federal health care reform last year. Vermont’s decision on the future of health care should be based on facts, not myths and scare tactics.
 
- Daniel Barlow
  VBSR Public Policy Manager