Kept Her Word

On Health Care

Two years ago, Sandy Haas came to my door to introduce herself and talk to me about the critical issues facing Vermont and those of us living in her district in Pittsfield.

We spoke about health care and insurance, and how the system needed to be fixed to allow access to those who find themselves without coverage or for those finding it increasingly difficult to afford coverage.

She and others, from both parties, worked diligently to craft a plan, Catamount Health, that is just now going into effect. It will take awhile to be fully rolled out and we can all hope that this bi-partisan effort, signed by the governor, will live up to its promise. She has continued to listen to my concerns and those of my neighbors on this and other important issues.

Many politicians will say that they are for "affordable health care" and I’m sure they mean it. I fear, however, that what they support is a system that cherry-picks the healthy and young, and offers them stripped-down policies that will be withdrawn or will become cost-prohibitive once they develop a health problem.

All the while, those with chronic conditions, including diabetes, will be left in a smaller, less healthy pool, and they will see their insurance premiums escalate year after year.  If you or any family member has a chronic condition or disability, imagine a system where an insurance company can deny coverage or base your premium on your individual health expenses alone.

Eventually, many will be forced to drop their insurance and will look to the state for coverage, another form of cost-shifting. At some point, there will be a call to set up a "high-risk pool" to provide coverage to those with great needs. In many states, these "risk-pools" are funded by the state and subject to all other general funding obligations. The premiums are high and there are long waiting lists. For those who think this is a fair or workable solution to the insurance crisis, I only ask you to look at a state like Texas, which has gone this route and has the highest rate of uninsureds in the country.

Many of the ultimate solutions will need to come from Washington, so it is also critical to vote for candidates to the U.S. House and Senate who understand the complexities of the issue and who do not merely speak in soft generalities about supporting "affordable health care." Sandy realizes that Catamount Health is a good start, but more work needs to be done…

The bottom line is that Sandy Haas kept the promises she made to us and deserves to be re-elected on November 7.

David Hooks

Pittsfield