We Can ALL Be Vermont
Last week, Vermont Governor Peter Shumlin signed into law "An Act Relating to a Universal and Unified Health System," which sets Vermont on a path toward a single-payer system - the nation's first such legislation. All 620,000 of the state's residents would be eligible for coverage under the new system, which is estimated to reduce total health care costs by about 25% between 2015 and 2024 by eliminating the current patchwork of insurers and associated administrative expenses. A five-member board appointed by the Governor will determine payment rates for doctors, what benefits to cover and other details. Find more details in the testimony provided to the Vermont state legislature. Vermont will require a waiver from the federal government to implement the law. Such waivers are not currently available until 2017 although there has been discussion to change the date to 2014.
In this period of heightened focus on the future of Medicare and Medicaid, Vermont is a fine example of innovative health care financing at the state level, and also an excellent model to illustrate the impact of a strong grass-roots advocacy movement. We can all be Vermont and achieve a vision for universal access to affordable health care. Take action to make this vision a reality.
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TAKE ACTION NATIONALLY
The signing of the Vermont bill provides an excellent opportunity to educate policy makers and demonstrate support for several single payer measures. Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Representative Jim McDermott (D-WA) recently introduced The American Health Security Act (S. 915 and H.R. 1200) to require the establishment of state-based single payer systems, and Representative John Conyers has also reintroduced The Expanded and Improved Medicare for All Act (H.R. 676) to establish a national single payer system.
In past years, there have been more co-sponsors to the single payer legislation in Congress than for any of the other "health reform" bills introduced. Senators Harkin (D-IA), Merkley (D-OR), and Brown (D-OH) have supported single payer legislation in the past and a list of the 87 House members who previously sponsored H.R. 676 can be found here. Let's increase this widespread support and promote this cost-effective alternative to both the Affordable Care Act and the Republican proposal to decimate Medicaid and Medicare!
· Find your members at www.house.gov and www.senate.gov or call the Congressional Switchboard toll free at 1 (877) 210-5351.
· Ask your Representative to cosponsor either The American Health Security Act (H.R. 1200 in the House, S. 915 in the Senate) or The Expanded Medicare for All Act (H.R. 676).
· Educate your members about single payer health systems regardless of their support:
o Vermont recently passed and signed into law the nation's first single payer health care system
o Single payer health care is privately delivered
o Single payer eliminates all gaps in coverage, unlike all alternatives
o Single payer reduces costs by streamlining administrative costs, not by rationing services or bankrupting individuals
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TAKE ACTION AT THE STATE LEVEL
All states have significant decision-making authority over health care services, eligibility, system structure, and financing. While many are focused on implementing the health reform law, we know these changes still leave many in each state without insurance and do little to reduce costs. A single payer financing mechanism would address these issues.
· Find your Governor and your state legislators.
· Ask them to consider introducing a bill that would ensure universal access to care for all state residents, which would be privately administered but funded through a single funding source, reducing health care costs for everyone
· Educate them on Vermont and single payer health systems regardless of their support using the testimony provided in Vermont and above talking points.
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TAKE ACTION
- Ask your Representative to cosponsor The American Health Security Act (H.R. 1200 in the House, S. 915 in the Senate) and The Preserving Homes and Communities (H.R. 1477 in the House, S. 489 in the Senate).
- Tell your Representative of the important role universal health care and affordable housing play in the lives of your clients. We can prevent and end homelessness through such measures.
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