BRATTLEBORO — Developing an efficient single-payer system for Vermont will save us a ton of money by removing the costs of promotion, advertising, bill-denying, and form processing required by private insurance. This is good, but the Vermonters who work in those jobs will be hurt, and we need to be sure their livelihoods are not sacrificed in this process.
Dr. Hsiao projects 5,000 new jobs as a result of the change to single payer. Vermonters who lose their jobs due to the change should receive a range of supports, including retraining and a spot at the front of the line for the new jobs created.
Dr. Hsiao also proposes outsourcing and subcontracting parts of the system rather than creating a government system. This, too, can work out well, as long as there is competent oversight. But we will be moving backward if we hire a private company that denies us access to care or mismanages our health-care dollars.