Weekend Edition: Vermont First to Pass Single Payer

One of the laudable features of the insurance industry kluge now known as 'Obamacare' is that it allows states to experiment with different forms of health care insurance. US Person predicts that several states, perhaps even a majority, will end up with some form of single-payer health care plan since they will come to the realization it is the most efficient way to control costs as well as meet their ethical obligation to protect residents' health. Health care costs in Vermont have been rising between 6.5 and 8.5% recently. It became the first state in the nation to pass single-payer legislation. Governor Peter Shumlin, a Democrat, signed H202 on Friday. Called "Green Mountain Care" the plan reforms Vermont's entire health care system by regulating health insurance premiums and payments under a state appointed board, but the plan will require a waiver from the federal government's health benefits exchange system established under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Also, the state's single-payer plan does not come into full effect until 2017 and is subject to further voter approval of a financing plan. However, Green Mountain Care, unlike Obamacare, provides universal coverage for Vermont's 650,000 residents and is expected to save an estimated $580 million annually.