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vt.Buzz ~ a political blog

Political notes from Free Press staff writers Terri Hallenbeck, Sam Hemingway and Nancy Remsen


2.22.2010

 

Gov. Douglas and the D.C. scene

Gov. Jim Douglas spent a busy weekend on the national political stage in Washington, D.C., running the winter meeting of the National Governors Association.

As NGA chairman, he had the job of delivering the bad news about the states’ fiscal health.

“The worst probably is yet to come,“ Douglas warned at the opening session Saturday.

Sunday morning found Douglas, a Republican, and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick, a Democrat, on a talk show — CNN’s “State of the Union” with Candy Crowley for a chat about political gridlock and health care.

Unlike Congress, governors know how to get things done, the pair of governors suggested.

“Ultimately something has to happen. The work has to be done. The streets have to be plowed or the budget has to be balanced,” Douglas said. He noted that regardless of political affiliation, “in the National Governors Association, we have a much more collegial relationship. We talk with each other, we learn from each other, Deval and I hosted a health care forum last spring at the request of the president.”

Back in Vermont, Douglas has been part of a few political power struggles over the years that didn’t end up all that friendly. Think back to last spring, for example, and the budget battle that ended in a gubernatorial veto and a legislative override.

Crowley also quizzed Douglas and Patrick about the kind of health care reform governors wanted.

“We would like to have a better partner in Washington because we have a shared responsibility, but meanwhile governors are going to keep moving forward to try to insure the people of our states,” Douglas replied.

“Other than to fund Medicaid, though, would you rather they stay out of the way?” Crowley pressed.

DOUGLAS: Well, I think we have to work together. But remember what the real problem is, and that’s the cost of health care that keeps rising at rates that are multiples of inflation year after year after year. And I think there has been too much...

PATRICK: Whether you have a universal program or not.

DOUGLAS: Exactly.

PATRICK: That’s happening everywhere.

DOUGLAS: That’s the point, because it doesn’t matter whether it’s a publicly funded program or private health insurance companies, if we don’t get cost under control, we are going to be broke either way. So we need to reform the way we deliver care. We need to reform the payment system to incent quality care and good outcomes and get those costs under control.

Pretty good tag team.

At the end of the show, Crowley noted Douglas would retire at the end of this term.

“Governor Douglas of Vermont, have a happy retirement, but I imagine we’ll see you.”

DOUGLAS: Oh, no, no, no. I’ll find something else to do. .... It won’t be in Washington.”

Douglas’ relationship with President Barack Obama was on display Sunday night when governors and spouses donned tuxedoes and gowns for dinner at the White House.

Before the four-course dinner — which included French onion soup, rib-eye roast of beef and shrimp scampi, and baked Alaska — Obama thanked the governors for helping to “right the ship” of state during the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression.

“This White House wants to continue to partner with you,” Obama said.

He raised his glass — water, rather than the Virginia, California or Michigan wines being served at the dinner. “So, cheers, everybody. Dinner is served. Oh, wait, wait, wait.”

Obama noticed Douglas heading to the front of the room. “This is not the waiter, although he can read the menu. Jim Douglas has been an extraordinary partner with this White House — always constructive, always thoughtful, and we are so pleased to have him here tonight.”

“Mr. President, I thought you might explain that I’m not the entertainment, either.”

Douglas offered his own toast — also with water.

— Nancy Remsen

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posted by vt.Buzz  |  6:37 PM |  2 comments

1.21.2010

 

What would Ethan say?

That's the question that John McClaughry of the Ethan Allen Institute has posed to five Progressive House members about their choice of a name for the single-payer health care system they have proposed in H. 491.

McClaughry wrote in a letter that he wasn't shocked to see their bill calling for a "single-payer government health care scheme."

"But I am shocked to learn that you have entitled this monstrosity "Ethan Allen Health. Apparently you are so bereft of historical knowledge that you believe that your legislative creation would somehow find favor with Vermont's 18th century hero, Col. Ethan Allen."

Describing Allen as a "brawling, boozing, blaspheming giant" and an "outspoken champion of liberty and property," McClaughry question how anyone could think he would endorse a bill "to impose upon free Vermonters a government-run, taxpayer-financed health care system?"

"If you must label this legislative travesty in the name of an Allen, consider choosing Levi, the Tory. Levi died in a Burlington debtor's prison in 1801, which is what will likely happen to the whole state of Vermont if the General Assembly should, God forfend, enact your $2 billion health care legislation."

OK, anyone have names to suggest to the Progressives?

-- Nancy Remsen

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posted by vt.Buzz  |  6:10 PM |  16 comments

12.09.2009

 

Obama picks out Sanders for praise

Shortly after noon at the White House today, Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, joined a small group on a stage with President Barack Obama. The occasion was Obama's announcement of $500 million in federal stimulus dollars for construction and renovation projects at federally qualified health centers.

Sanders has been a long-time champion of funding for this network of community health centers -- and it turns out that a few years ago Obama signed onto a Sanders' bill to quadruple funding for them.

So Wednesday, when Obama announced funding to expand 85 health centers -- including one in Burlington, he put the spotlight on Sanders for a millisecond. "I also want to thank the many members of Congress who are with us today both in the audience and up on the stage, particularly Bernie Sanders and Representative Jim Clyburn. We are grateful for all that you've done."

The Community Health Center of Burlington is one of the 85 and will receive $10.9 million dollars to construct a new building that will eventually replace the structure on Riverside Avenue.

In the madcap world that is Washington -- especially these days -- it must be nice to get noticed.

-- Nancy Remsen

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posted by vt.Buzz  |  6:35 PM |  0 comments

11.19.2009

 

Where will Bernie land on health care?

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-VT, just released a statement that says he'll cast the vote the majority needs this weekend to get the ball rolling on the health care reform debate -- but that doesn't mean he will support the bill.

“My vote for final passage of this bill is not at all guaranteed until I see a final bill that is strong and effective for working families and taxpayers in Vermont and America,” said Sanders, a member of the Senate health committee.

He said he hasn't given up on getting some provision that would give states permission to go forward with their own single payer systems.

Here's his list of "demands" for inclusion in the bill.

• Funding for major restructuring of primary health care.
• Assurance more people can participate in new insurance exchanges and other measures to bolster the public option.
• Requirements that health insurance, including out-of-pocket expenses, is affordable.
• Inclusion of cost-containment provisions.
• Assurance that the $800 billion to $1 trillion needed to pay for the program over 10 years is raised in a fair and progressive way.
• Elimination of the so-called doughnut hole gap in coverage under the Medicare prescription drug program.
• Reduced costs for prescription drugs.
• Maintenance of a woman’s right to choose an abortion.

Some of these are pretty broad. Others are very specific. Which ones do you think really have to be in a bill that to win Sanders vote?

-- Nancy Remsen

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posted by vt.Buzz  |  1:28 PM |  2 comments

10.09.2009

 

Dean on a health care compromise

Check out what Howard Dean told the Huffington Post about a compromise proposal for one of the most controversial aspects of health care reform -- to include or not to include a public option. The compromise would allow states to opt out of offering a public option.


If he had a Senate vote, this would be something he could support, he says, given that a full-blown public option seems to lack support.


Read the story here.



--Nancy Remsen

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posted by vt.Buzz  |  11:32 AM |  1 comments

9.10.2009

 

Lie for a lie?

Here is, in part, Vermont Republican Party Chairman Rob Roper's statement on President Obama's address last night:

"Before we put $900 billion of our hard-earned tax dollars on the table for this, we wanted to see exactly how this trick will work. We all agree the goal is nice, but without those details, I have little confidence that this is anything more than a lie convincingly delivered."

Here is, in part, Vermont Public Interest Research Group Executive Director Paul Burns' statement on Roper's statement:

"Rob Roper, the official head of Vermont’s Republican Party, actually followed Wilson’s repugnant lead by calling President Obama a liar based on his speech last night.

...

"There’s plenty of room for honest debate and divergent opinions about the president’s plan. But by claiming that President Obama lied in his remarks last night, Roper joined the ranks of the petulant peanut gallery of ill-tempered extremists. Sober Republicans in Vermont ought to demand that he apologize, just as his discredited compatriot from South Carolina had the good sense to do."

- Terri Hallenbeck

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posted by vt.Buzz  |  2:40 PM |  16 comments
 

What did the speech do for you?

It sounds as though Vermont's congressional delegation heard what they were hoping to hear from President Barack Obama last night on health care.

Did he say what you wanted him to?

What do you think are the prospects for health-care reform?

Should Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., resign or otherwise be reprimanded for his outburst during the speech, saying the president was lying? Or does he become a hero with his constituents for it?

- Terri Hallenbeck

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posted by vt.Buzz  |  10:11 AM |  7 comments

8.18.2009

 

Douglas on budget, health care and sales tax

As the Legislature's Joint Fiscal Committee was launching into a public hearing today on $28 million in budget cuts at the Statehouse, Gov. Jim Douglas was holding a news conference next door.

He said it's possible, based on the economic forecast, that $28 million won't be the end of the cuts coming this year.

When it comes to the $28 million, which includes $7.4 million in payroll savings, he suggested that things might be different this time in negotiations with the union. "Times are different now," he said.

The administration and the Vermont State Employees will meet for the first foray into those negotiations Wednesday, Administration Secretary Neale Lunderville said.

Douglas said state government will have to find new, creative ways of doing things. He pointed to a new program announced Tuesday that automates notifications to victims about the status of offenders. He could not, however, say whether that new program will allow the state to reduce staffing.

Douglas did not mourn the possible demise of the "public option" in federal health care reform, saying funding for one of the existing public health-care plans - Medicaid - is unsustainable. He said he fears states will eventually be left holding the money bag on a public plan.

Asked about the talk that Congress was planning to create "death panels" through its health-care reform measure, Douglas suggested that the argument was off-base - sort of. "That's an example of the kind of rhetoric that's distracting us from fundamental reform," he said.

But he did not come out and denounce the death-panel debate nor would he say he felt confident the proposed legislation didn't include death panels. He said that like most members of Congress he had not read every word of the legislation.

In other news, Douglas plans to take advantage of Saturday's sales tax holiday. He's buying a new kitchen stove, he said. Dorothy insisted.

- Terri Hallenbeck

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posted by vt.Buzz  |  4:23 PM |  4 comments

7.09.2009

 

Sanders' health care sagas

Sen. Bernie Sanders has put out a booklet of stories from around the country about health-care coverage woes.


"It is my intention to read some of these letters on the floor of the Senate. Every American needs to hear what’s going on with health care in this country," Sanders said.

Some samples:


"My younger brother, a combat decorated veteran of the Vietnam conflict, died three weeks after being diagnosed with colon cancer. He was laid off from his job and could not afford COBRA coverage. When he was in enough pain to see a doctor, it was too late. He left a wife and two teenage sons in the prime of his life at 50 years old. The attending doctor said that if he had only sought treatment earlier he would still be alive.
Jim,
Swanton, Vt.

"My daughter was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 22, just when she was finishing college and launching into her own life to be self-supporting. Not only was she unable to find a job that included health benefits; she could not make enough to pay the enormous cost of daily care and regular visits to a doctor in order to learn how to control this life threatening condition. As a result she put her expenses for diabetes on her credit care and soon found herself with an unpayable balance of over $14,000 with over 20 percent interest added. She became depressed and overwhelmed and said to me sadly, "Mom, I know they will never find a cure for diabetes in my lifetime because they make too much money on supplies and treatment."
Marilyn,
West Halifax, Vt.


"For 15 years, my wife and I were self-employed as craftsmen, making jewelry for our own business. One of the biggest problems we had to deal with was affording health insurance for ourselves and, later, our son. Now, we have been forced to abandon this business partially due to insurance costs, and I do not think that it is possible for us to restart it with the current system of health care. "
Randall,
Sharon, Vt.

Will it be effective?

- Terri Hallenbeck

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posted by vt.Buzz  |  10:42 AM |  7 comments

7.08.2009

 

Is this healthy enough?

Health care changes are moving along _ if not smoothly _ in Washington.

Today, a deal with the hospitals.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The nation’s hospitals will give up $155 billion in
future Medicare and Medicaid payments to help defray the cost of President
Barack Obama’s health care plan, a concession the White House hopes will boost
an overhaul effort that’s hit a roadblock in Congress.

Vice President Joe Biden announced the deal at the
White House on Wednesday, with administration officials and hospital
administrators at his side.



Tomorrow, former Gov. Howard Dean will hold a telephonic press conference to urge Vermonters to back what's going on in Washington.

Should they?

- Terri Hallenbeck

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posted by vt.Buzz  |  11:39 AM |  8 comments

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