Mary Gerisch, JD, of the Vermont Workers' Center recently held a forum in La Grande, Ore., and said she is confident Oregon will follow Vermont's lead in establishing a single-payor system, according to a La Grande Observer report.
Ms. Gerisch and the Vermont Workers' Center was one of the leading movements that helped the Vermont legislature pass its single-payor bill. Vermont became the first state in the country to establish a universal healthcare system after Gov. Peter Shumlin signed the bill into law back in May. Under the plan, all Vermont residents would be eligible for healthcare, or Green Mountain Care, and all hospitals and providers would bill the state. The system is projected to begin in 2017.
Vermont residents and Ms. Gerisch first launched their campaign for single-payor in 2008, and Ms. Gerisch told the crowd the campaign succeeded because supporters were able to verse that healthcare is a human right.
Ms. Gerisch said she thinks there is an upsurge of support for a single-payor and universal healthcare system among Oregon residents. According to a Gazette-Times report, State House Rep. Mike Dembrow (D-Portland) introduced the Affordable Health Care for All Oregon Act in the last legislative session, but the bill did not pass. It is expected Oregon's House will bring up the bill again in its next legislative session.
Ms. Gerisch and the Vermont Workers' Center was one of the leading movements that helped the Vermont legislature pass its single-payor bill. Vermont became the first state in the country to establish a universal healthcare system after Gov. Peter Shumlin signed the bill into law back in May. Under the plan, all Vermont residents would be eligible for healthcare, or Green Mountain Care, and all hospitals and providers would bill the state. The system is projected to begin in 2017.
Vermont residents and Ms. Gerisch first launched their campaign for single-payor in 2008, and Ms. Gerisch told the crowd the campaign succeeded because supporters were able to verse that healthcare is a human right.
Ms. Gerisch said she thinks there is an upsurge of support for a single-payor and universal healthcare system among Oregon residents. According to a Gazette-Times report, State House Rep. Mike Dembrow (D-Portland) introduced the Affordable Health Care for All Oregon Act in the last legislative session, but the bill did not pass. It is expected Oregon's House will bring up the bill again in its next legislative session.
Related Articles on Single-Payor Healthcare:
Vermont's Green Mountain Care Board Prepares for Busy 2012
Montana Governor to Seek Waiver for Single-Payor Health System