Vermont’s soon-to-be single-payer health system reminds progressive groups of final goal

hot air ^ | 5/26/11 | Tina Korbe

[Nachum]

The Democratic governor of Vermont wants a single-payer health system for his state and, today, he plans to sign a bill that would advance that goal.

The bill Gov. Peter Shumlin plans to sign on Thursday would create a panel whose goal would be to figure out how to pay for a new system intended to reduce the rate of overall health-cost increases. …

Vermont’s idea is based on the concept of a health system where a public entity funds all care. It is popular among liberals in the U.S. and common abroad. …

Figuring out exactly how the plan would be financed is the job of the five-member board. The governor’s office says new taxes would account for some of the cost.

Instead of paying premiums, employers and workers likely would subsidize the plan through taxes. Gov. Shumlin says the administrative simplification of having one payer would save the state $500 million a year.

Spurred by the possibility of this state-level “success,” progressive groups have mounted pressure on Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to grant the state of Vermont an Obamacare waiver — an ironically necessary step to establish a single-payer system in the state.

[cranked]

It’s also going to remind them of California on the verge of state bankruptcy, as well. /s =.=

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Let us remind the progressive Lefty Loonies that Vermont is also an unrestricted state with regard to firearms permits. They are the model for how all states should treat such things.

[FormerACLUmember]

Always the intention of the democrats.

[RedStateRocker]

This is how it should work: let the states try different things. If it works, we’ll know, if it doesn’t, we’ll know.
That is part of the beauty and brilliance of our system, the ability to try something on a smaller scale, first.

[Zeppo]

Gov. Shumlin says the administrative simplification of having one payer would save the state $500 million a year.

That sounds like one of those numbers that was just pulled out of the Governor's rear end.

Where do those "savings" come from? Can the state now terminate the jobs of 5,000 state workers who are no longer needed to do that wasteful administration?

[reg45]

Since health care expenditures typically represent about 15% of GNP, the State of Vermont would need revenue equal to about 15% of the GSP (Gross State Product). That's assuming that The Green Mountain State is not overwhelmed by freeloaders coming to the state for “free” health care. When that occurs, the state will need an even greater increase in revenue.

[schwingdoc]

Are they going to lock the houses and clinics of all the docs there to keep them from leaving?

[Buckeye McFrog]

I guess one of the downsides of Federalism is that every so often one of your states will get overpopulated with leftists and vote in Communism.

Works for me though. Vermont will be broke in 18 to 24 months and all of it’s residents will be driving to New Hampshire to see a doctor. Will serve as a strong lesson to the rest of the country.

[Socon-Econ]

I disagree with the view that the states have a right to go socialist.