Reid was able to put to rest several myths. The first is that "it's all socialized medicine out there." The fact is that "most wealthy countries rely on private sector mechanisms to provide and/or pay for health care." Another myth is that rationed care means long waiting lists and limited choice. Not so in most countries. Nor is it true that universal health care programs are run by bloated bureaucracies. In fact, we have the most complex system and the highest administrative costs in the world -- and we still rank well below other countries for important health indicators.
That brings us back, of course, to Reid's -- and Richter's -- moral question: In the world's richest nation, "why do we tolerate a health care system that leads to large numbers of avoidable deaths and bankruptcies among our fellow citizens?"
Vermont doesn't want to tolerate that any longer. That's why in the fall a five-member board will be appointed to set up Green Mountain Care, as the state's system will be called. Among the board's tasks will be to set up a payment system, to examine cost-cutting measures, and to generally oversee the development of a single-payer heath care system in Vermont. As they move forward, they will build an exchange in accordance with federal law and will regulate insurance companies within that exchange.
"This is not the top of the mountain," Dr. Richter has said, "but it's the first time anyone has headed up the mountain. No other place in the country has gotten this far."
I'm not much of a hiker, but I'm sticking with her. After all, Vermont has a tendency to lead in matters of conscience. We were the first to abolish slavery and the first to sanction civil unions. We're problem solvers and people with good sense. That's why we're going to show the rest of the country that a single payer system of health care is the way to go. That makes me wicked proud.
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