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Vermont governor signs universal health insurance bill

NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted June 6, 2011

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Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin on May 26 signed a bill that paves the way for the state to create a single payer-style health system.

The law creates a powerful five-member Green Mountain Care Board, the members of which will determine the benefits and craft a funding plan for Green Mountain Care, a state universal health plan. The board will have wide authority over state health spending and health system reform. The bill requires the governor to nominate board members by Oct. 1 and the Vermont Senate to confirm them. Some private plans will continue to have a presence in the state even if Green Mountain Care is implemented.

"We'll be getting input from all Vermonters moving forward, which is essential to the success of this effort," Shumlin said. "But input from providers, businesses and health care consumers will be especially important to assuring that our reforms are good for our health care system and good for our economy."

Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2011/06/06/gvbf0606.htm.

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