House Republican leader says new health committee is stalling tactic

At a press conference held Thursday in the Cedar Creek Room at the Statehouse, the Vermont House Republican Caucus leader, Rep Don Turner (R-Milton) stated that the caucus had received a letter from the administration regarding compliance with the statute in Act 48, Vermont’ s Premier Health Care Reform Legislation.
"We are disappointed with the administration’ s response to our request dated January 31, 2013. It appears that they are not going to provide Vermonters the information that was required in the statute," Turner said.
Specifically the act requires that the Secretary of Administration is to report to the House committee on health care and the Senate health committee the costs of the proposed plan, how it will be paid for, and who will be covered.
"We are also surprised by the recent announcement by the Speaker to form another committee to do just what was required of the Administration in Act 48," Turner said. "The new committee will be made up of appointees by the Speaker, the Senate Pro Tem and governor. We are happy to see that the Legislature, the body that will ultimately have to make the final decision on a funding source is now involved. However, it will be at an additional cost to Vermonters and will delay the information for another two years.
‘ This critical information is needed by our residents, health care professionals, businesses and municipalities in order for them to prepare their budgets. This stall tactic is bad for Vermont!
‘ Our goal today is to continue shedding light on the fact that the administration of Governor Peter Shumlin is willing to force his health care reform experiment on Vermonters with no regard to how much it is going to cost or how much damage is done to the state in the process. Vermonters were promised answers to these questions back in 2011 and they are still waiting. Is it right to make them wait another two years and expend millions more? We don’ t think so and will continue to explore every avenue to get the information to Vermonters that they deserve.’ said Turner.
2.21.2013