Posted on 09/02/2009 10:10:15 AM PDT by Jo Nuvark
Several weeks ago an important report commissioned by the Vermont Health Care Commission was quietly posted on the Legislative Council Web site. No fanfare, no press conferences, no attention given. Media ignored it. The committee that ordered it ignored it. The Legislature ignored it. The administration ignored it. The report's findings tumbled into the political abyss... What it says ought to be engraved in the thinking of every legislator and every administration member... The Kavet-Rockler report ordered by the Legislature, and apparently dust-binned by it, carries a very disturbing "inconvenient truth." That is that ...
(Excerpt) Read more at rutlandherald.com ...
Looks like the report is seeking more revenue instead of looking at the causes. No mention of much needed Tort reform (which is driving much of it) nor how to employ economies of scale or the employment of large deductibles.
Typical Liberal knee jerk reaction towards higher taxation.
True. And there are ways to cut costs without cutting quality of care.
This was the news in Vermont in 2007.
No one paid any attention.
Here no truth.
See no truth.
Speak no truth.
Kavet is still trying to get the Legislatures attention on this.
http://www.wcax.com/Global/story.asp?s=10243067&clienttype=printable
“We expected things would deteriorate in the first quarter of 2009 but what’s happened is that it’s on an order of magnitude that’s way beyond what had been expected,” Vt. Economist Tom Kavet said.
As people spend less, less tax money is coming into the state. For this budget year, tax collections are off $14 million. And for the next budget year that starts in July, there is a projected additional $43 million hole. And both those predictions had already been revised downward.
“There is going to be a lot of pain before there is a turnaround and we’ve really gone down another step,” Kavet warned.
The economists say housing construction has stalled in the state and they are not predicting a rebound any time soon— saying this is the longest recession since the Great Depression.
Kavet said, “We see declines in retail sales that are unprecedented that we haven’t seen since the Great Depression.”
“Breathtaking,” Carr added.
“They really are,” Kavet agreed.
And we have such terrific leadership. I know that is helping.
Jo, what do the declining revenues have to do with the cost of health care. Why are you citing this?
As for the general state of the economy, we held back a so-so chunk and bought a repo on the coast for a stunningly great price. Housing prices are at all time lows and coast housing here has never been so inviting.
Additionally I have been noting that buying things is incredibly rewarding and prices are very low currently. Customer service has returned as a priority.
So you can think of it as an opportunity.
[... What do the declining revenues have to do with the cost of health care...?]
I’m not an economist, but I think Kavet is trying to
make the point that the current state healthcare plan
in unsustainable without adding taxes and other devices
to support it.
AT THE SAME TIME ... because of the unemployment rate
and general economic slump, tax revenues are declining.
If healthcare costs rise, while revenues decline, services disappear.
Yes... hubby and I have notice the “advantages” as well.
No problem. Cut back on the care given to the elderly and costs will be contained (plus Social Security payout will drop).
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.