Rutland Herald

 

The Green Mountain Care Board is considering how best to ensure oversight of Vermont’s new health care system.

In 2005, the League of Women Voters of Vermont adopted a strong advocacy position in support of a single-payer health care system for Vermont. The league considered several oversight models, including legislative oversight as specified in S.147, a single-payer system vetoed by then Gov. Douglas; independent review by an assessment service such as used by the Veteran’s Administration to evaluate performance; and a representative body of citizens.

The method recommended by the league through a consensus process is oversight by a citizen board or commission. The league’s position goes on to say that membership on such a board should include representatives of all stakeholders: providers, consumers (balanced geographically and demographically), the Legislature, and the executive branch of government.

The league hopes that any advisory structure will include not just professionals or experts, but a spectrum of Vermont citizens, similar to the Green Mountain Care Board’s Advisory Committee, except with oversight powers.

CATHERINE RADER

East Montpelier