Health Care Redux
The standing-room-only presence at the evening health care forum last week is a testament to the community’s interest and concern about pending health care legislation. After the meeting, several people came up to me with feedback. While several people expressed relief when they saw the flow chart showing a multi-year process with check points along the way, a more vocal crowd expressed frustration that their questions had not been answered or did not feel that their concerns about the general principles were being heard. I have shared this with our leadership and made some recommendations.
I am planning to put some links on my website (www.katewebbvt.com) to help people get answers to their questions and follow the action unfolding in the Senate. This should be up before the weekend. In the meantime, I will field questions related to your situation by email: klwebb22@mac.com. The more specific and focused the questions, the easier it will be for me to get back to you. Do remember that the only staff I have is myself. There is extensive information and a list of frequently asked questions on this website: http://www.leg.state.vt.us/jfo/healthCareReform.aspx that I will also post on mine.
Of ongoing concern to everybody has been “how much will it cost” and “how will we pay for this?” We do not know what it will cost yet, but we do have a starting place. We know what we are spending now ($4.7 billion) and we know where we are headed in the 2013 ($5.9 billion) so we do know that whatever we build needs cost less than this. Businesses know that if they are spending, perhaps $500 rising to $700 then $1000 per employee per month with no sign of letting up, there must be a more efficient and effective use of these dollars that also allows them to focus on their own business and not the business of health care.
Throughout this process, there has always been a balance between the competing interests of accuracy and speed in developing a financing plan. The faster the plan is developed, the broader the assumptions must be. To develop an accurate plan, to allow for public participation, and to build confidence in this plan, it is important that it not be rushed. This is why a full picture of the financing is not expected to be in place for at least two years. The future board will look at a variety of sources: payroll tax, income tax, consumption taxes, provider assessments or other new or existing options. Nothing here is set as of yet. How it will come about will be subject to a lengthy study and opportunities for continued participation. Those of you frustrated by this, please stay engaged, keep asking questions and giving input.
Other more specific questions can be answered and here are a few I heard that night. As the bill stands today, Medicare is untouched. Those who are receiving retirement benefits would not be required to change. Union-negotiated benefits may continue to bargain benefits if they so choose. Other questions need more time for thought such as what to do with students in Vermont colleges, adult children up to age 26 and out-of-state networks available to Vermonters.
I voted for and continue to support H.202, an act relating to a universal and unified health care system. That said, I too am anxious to see how the details will be fleshed out and addressed. I believe that within two years, we will have a better idea as to whether or not this will work as planned. The bill is continuing to undergo change in the Senate and should a bill pass, we will likely be revisiting this legislation for years to come. When we do, we will need to analyze the data and continue to question our underlying assumptions and adjust accordingly. And in the end, “do no harm.”