Free Press: State Sen. Doug Racine offers two-year health care reform plan

By Nancy Remsen

MONTPELIER — Senate Health Committee Chairman Doug Racine unveiled a proposal Tuesday that would maintain forward momentum toward a more streamlined health care system — but postpone the big decisions until next year.

The Chittenden County Democrat’s bill calls for the hiring of independent advisers, overseen by an appointed, three-member board. The advisers would prepare three detailed options for “a single system of health care to provide essential health services to all Vermonters.” The board would present the three options to the Legislature in January along with its recommendation as to which one would be the best choice.

Under Racine’s proposed timeline, the Legislature would make a decision next year about which option to pursue and the new system would be operational no later than July 1, 2012.

Racine, a candidate for governor, has made solving the health care problem one of the planks of his candidacy. With national health care reform stalled, Racine wants Vermont to push ahead on its own. Despite competition from pressing financial issues, Racine sees a bill creating a process for action as the best way to make progress this year.

[...]

Full article