The 2008 Legislative session is over. Nothing of consequence happened in health care reform. The Hospital Security Plan (H.304) was caged in the House Health Committee and stayed there. High and rising health care costs are here to stay. Elections at the state and local levels take place in November. It ought to be clear by now that changes must be made if anything to benefit all Vermonters is to be achieved. The place to start is at the top with the Douglas Administration.

Uncontrolled health care costs affect everything. They have grown to be a state-wide economic problem. These costs are the single most pressing problem for the state’s economy. Town budgets, city budgets, school budgets, businesses of all kinds feel the malign effects of uncontrolled costs. The state’s budget deficits can be tracked to a failure to honestly face necessary health care reforms. The financial pain trickles down to families and individuals all over the state. The Do-Nothing Douglas Administration is responsible.

Right answers to this overwhelming problem are fiscally conservative solutions. The wrong answers are fiscally deceptive and irresponsible. For ideological reasons the Douglas Administration clings to the wrong answers. Vermont needs new thinking and new thinking requires new leadership.

Responsible answers like H.304 will re-emerge in 2009. But nothing can happen without new leadership. 

We will keep you abreast of health care issues and proposals as the November elections approach.