In listening to Representative Welch on a recent "Vermont Edition"; he indicated that people who currently have health insurance would benefit from this "new plan". The plan eliminates a $1,200.00 dollar cost shift, per policy, that is currently being paid to cover people who do not have insurance. Do you understand this to be true? If so, have there been any estimates to how returning this money to policy holders would stimulate other parts of our economy?

Bob, Underhill

Thank you so much for the work you're doing on behalf of healthcare reform. I'm reading your book now, so maybe I'll find the answer to this question there. I get asked by many different groups for money to support healthcare reform—Democracy for America, Organizing for America, Emily's List, and more. I'll go broke if I give money to everyone who asks. Where would you say I can get the biggest bang for my buck?

Connie

I think that the Democrats lost the propaganda wars concerning health care as well as other issues, at least in the media, whether broadcast or cable. Do you agree, and if so how can they regain it?

Marc, Starksboro

President Obama decided to take a different approach than President Clinton did with healthcare in that Obama asked Congress to give him a bill and allowed them to debate what to do, rather than dictating what needed to be done. Now that you have seen how the healthcare debate has unfolded, do you think this was the right approach? What would you have done differently? And an unrelated question: is there any discussion on reforming high deductible health care plans? Many of us are stuck with them and it is not ideal because hospitals bill patients as if the insurance company is paying, with all the inflated costs and mark-ups, and the insurance companies hand the bill to the patients who have not met their deductible for the year.

Michael, Rutland

I am all for single payer not for service health care in Vermont. Maybe that is best issue for today BUT SO MUCH OF OUR MONEY AND SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE LOOKING FOR DECENT PAYING JOBS TURN TO THE MILITARY. THERE MUST BE SOME OTHER WAY TO BE PROSPEROUS. I KNOW WE SHOULD TAKE REALLY GOOD CARE OF OUR VETERANS BUT THERE ARE TOO MANY ARMY BASES ALL AROUND THE WORLD INCLUDING IN THE STATES. SOONER OR LATER THE MILITARY HURTS PEOPLE. 70% OF VERMONT EARMARKS ARE MILITARY EXPENDITURES. CANT WE BRING BACK THE CCC? OR WHATEVER IT WAS CALLED THAT DOES CIVIL PROJECTS.? THANKS HOWARD DEAN. KEEP SPEAKING UP PLEASE.

Marjorie, Lowell

Given that the Congressional Budget Office says the public option will only cover 2% of the non-Medicare population, and given that a state single payer system would provide equal and universal access as well as save money by getting rid of the waste of private insurance, do you support the amendments of Senator Bernie Sanders and Congressman Dennis Kucinich which would make it easier for individual states like Vermont to craft their own single payer plans? Will you work hard to see that these amendments pass?

Ellen, Middlebury

If you allow private insurers to charge 200% more for some patients, and you have a "public option", you'll leave the government with only the sickest population ... shifting the costs to the public sector. Instead, the range of premium should be much smaller ... more like vermont's 20% secondarily, there ought to be a very strong emphasis on paying only for "proven" treatments at a basic level of coverage, and allowing the patient to purchase greater coverage for "what ever I want regardless of whether its proven to work" (an exaggeration but closer to the truth than I'd like).

Ichaelmay

I have a friend who believes: "the problems of the currently insured can be addressed politically if a next step is stronger regulation of health insurance--which could come out of a reinvigorated congress if they feel like health reform is not a third rail." Does he agree? If so what are the chances of a "reinvigorate Congress" on this issue.

Wally, Williamstown

Do any of the bills contain provisions and or incentives for personal responsibilty? It seems the real cost of healthcare won't change until people start to take care of their individual health. Financial incentives should encourage people to change their behaviors. Will this happen? How do the current bills being considered affect primary care providers? Most doctors now work more hours for less money, compared to only 5 years ago. Their work load is increased by their lack of control over medications and tests that they would like to use/order for their patients. They have to spend hours begging insurance companies to approve these requests - even though doctors have spent many, many years training to make healthcare decisions. Isn't this a big cause of increased costs? I am concerned that primary care providers will continue to leave their professions, especially in Vermont.

Vanessa

Isn’t this an infringement of the fundamental rights of states to define the minimum requirements for health insurance? Is it the beginning of the end of the state’s ability to regulate ANY business activity within their state boundaries? How does the GOP square this philosophically?

Richard

I am wondering why no one is talking about how the insurance companies dump the older sicker people on the public. And how a full public option will help have a larger pool for mediciad/medicare.

Allan

With respect to health care costs being 70% more than elsewhere, might the foods we are eating be improved to reduce demand for health care? Have you sourced more GMO free food lately?

Seth, Burlington

Thank you for all you offer to the state and national dialog. It is invaluable. There are a few areas I would like to have you cover that bear on this topic. What about areas of the reform bill specifically covering preventive measures- particularly our overweight citizens- children included? Also torte reform and the rising interest in the ‘medical home’ model. Would you come back on this show in 6 months and give us an update?

Diana, Woodstock

You indicated that healthcare cost will continue to increase as long as we continue to pay doctors on a fee for services basis. How do we get away from a system that incenticize doctors to order more test instead of measuring on health outcomes? This seems like a cultural change. How do we, if possible, legislate this change?

Kathy

NO money from a punitive damage award should go to the plaintiff or his/her lawyers. THAT will reduce the cost of lawsuits.

Bruce, South Burlington

The costs of revamping our current system are "huge" according to media reports. Why, if the U.S. spends 3X per capita what the U.K. spends, are we spending "more" - or are we spending more? Why don't we simply copy the French, Danish or S. Korean systems and simply tell the insurance companies to change and become as efficient as the French?

Scott, Essex

I understand that the House Healthcare bill contains a provision to give drug companies 12 years of patent protection. Do you think this is fair or reasonable?

Dick, Stowe