2006 Legislative Updates:

  February 14, 2006

Tuesday at the Health Care Committee hearings, Josh Slen (OVHA) testified that there was not enough money under the Global Commitment cap to finance Catamount Health. Today, Steve Kappel, JFO, will explain his interpretation of the Global Commitment funding situation.

Paul Jarris, Commissioner of Health, and Herb Olson, BISHCA, also testified for the administration. They had both praise and criticism for the committee's draft bill.

Numerous advocacy groups testified -- most offered suggestions for changing language in the draft. A few outright opposed the legislation. Testimony was presented by:

Vt. Citizens Campaign for Health

Vt. Health Care for All

Marvin Malek

Vt. Businesses for Social Responsibility

AARP

Vt. Assn. of Hospitals and Health Systems

Vt. Medical Society

Blue Cross/Blue Shield

VT Psychological Association

VT-NEA

Anthony Otis

Vt. Program for Quality in Health Care

Wednesday the committee will decide what changes they will make to the bill based on Tuesday's testimony. The committee is now scheduled to vote on the bill Thursday.

Vermont Health Care for All would like to thank VPIRG for their generous support of the 2006 Legislative Updates. They are also available on the VPIRG website http://www.vpirg.org. They will be produced throughout the 2006 Legislative session by Paul Forlenza. Forlenza can be contacted at paul@forlenza.us or 802-453-3592.