Vermont for Single Payer

02/01/2026

The Twisted Healthcare System Serves No One
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/unitedhealth-forecasts-2026-profit-slightly-above-estimates-2026-01-27/
“UnitedHealth Group on Tuesday said revenue this year would decline for the first time in decades, which follows Monday's lower than expected 2027 Medicare reimbursement proposal from the government, and its shares tumbled 19% as investors reset profit expectations.
“CEO Steve Hemsley stressed a return to financial rigor and streamlined operations, despite what could be the company's first decline in revenue since 1989.
“’Momentum inside this organization is palpable. We still have work to do over the next several months, but I’m very pleased with the performance and outlook we have,’ Hemsley said.
“Investors were less pleased, as shares fell as much as 19% to $282.45, the biggest one-day drop since April last year. The company is set to lose some $60 billion in market value, if shares do not rebound.”

UnitedHealth Group on Tuesday said revenue this year would decline for the first time in decades, which ​follows Monday's lower‑than‑expected 2027 Medicare reimbursement proposal from the government, and its shares tumbled 19% as investors reset profit expectations.

02/01/2026

01/31/2026

And Oregon Has a Lot of Company
https://www.oregonlive.com/opinion/2026/01/opinion-oregon-is-ambling-toward-a-health-care-implosion.html
“Suppose your hospital closed, or didn’t offer inpatient services when you needed them? Suppose you had to wait six months to see a physician, forcing you to use the emergency room, one of the most expensive care settings, to access needed medical care? That’s already the reality for hundreds of thousands of Oregonians. It’s about to get much worse.
“The infrastructure of our health care system is beginning to crumble, and we haven’t fully grasped the gravity of the situation. Over half our hospitals are operating at a loss, according to Oregon Health Authority data. In December 2023, Peace Health’s University District Hospital in Eugene in closed. Ashland Community Hospital will close its birthing center this spring, and stop providing inpatient services. Last year over 1,000 hospital employees were laid off. Across Oregon, medical clinics and practices, especially independent practices, are struggling to remain solvent.
“This problem isn’t new. We’ve simply ignored it. Since 2019, the cost of family coverage increased 24%. Fifteen percent of Oregonians delay or avoid needed medical care because of cost, and the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in Oregon is the inability to pay a medical bill.”

The infrastructure of our health care system is beginning to crumble and we haven’t fully grasped the gravity of the situation, former Gov. John Kitzhaber writes. If we are to avoid system collapse, we must get past partisanship and work on a long-term solution.

01/30/2026

https://www.addisonindependent.com/2026/01/29/primary-care-a-key-issue-this-legislative-session/
“Primary care in Vermont is shaping up to be a key issue this legislative session.
“The heightened interest comes as the Vermont Chamber of Commerce last month reported that Vermont spends 19.6% of personal income on health care, the highest share in the nation. Since 2018, health insurance premiums have increased 10 to 15% annually, with the average silver plan rising 169%, the chamber said.
“Addison County lawmakers are among those who've written or co-sponsored bills aimed at reforming the state's primary and broader health care systems.
“Those bills include H.433, which seeks to incrementally implement a publicly financed health care program for all Vermonters, beginning with primary care, as well as primary care access reform bill (H.680) introduced by Rep. Herb Olson, D-Starksboro.”

Primary care a key issue this legislative session Jan 29, 2026 | News News Primary care a key issue this legislative session January 29, 2026 By Marin Howell Addison County lawmakers are among those who have written or co-sponsored bills aimed at reforming the state’s primary and broader health ca...

01/29/2026

“Coverage” is Useless if It Can’t Get You “Care”
https://lowninstitute.org/whats-driving-the-healthcare-affordability-crisis/
“Uninsured Americans are about twice as likely to have trouble paying for healthcare compared to those with health insurance. But simply having insurance is no longer fully protective against high health costs. Nearly one-third of insured adults under 65 have had trouble paying for healthcare in the past year, and 42% say it is somewhat or very difficult to afford healthcare costs.
“Part of the issue is the cost of premiums, which increased by 6% this year on average for those with employer-sponsored insurance and a whopping 21% for those with Affordable Care Act plans. But some of the increases have been much higher…..
” It’s not just premiums making healthcare unaffordable, but also out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, co-pays, and co-insurance. In 2025, the average annual deductible for employer-sponsored coverage was $1,886; most plans required co-insurance (patient share of costs after the deductible is met) with the average rate being 20% for a hospital visit; and nearly half of employer-sponsored plans (46%) have an out-of-pocket maximum over $5,000. For Affordable Care Act plans, the average deductible is $2,912, but for Bronze plans with lower premiums, the average deductible is $7,476. In a country where most families have $500 or less in emergency savings, any unexpected medical event could put insured Americans in debt.”

Understanding the problem is the first step.

01/28/2026

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/opinion/health-insurance-obamacare-subsidies-america.html?campaign_id=190&emc=edit_ufn_20260125&instance_id=170094&nl=from-the-times®i_id=60271221&segment_id=214290&user_id=312c0564450a183487659f6f4f1e1b6b
“More than 300 Times Opinion readers responded to a January invitation to share their experience of rising health care costs. They included a cancer patient who shifted care mid-recovery to a new insurance plan that doesn’t cover all her doctors. A mother who began skipping birthday parties to avoid the cost of a gift. A small-business owner who closed his doors. Many readers shared accounts of relying on retirement funds to pay for insurance. More than one Republican voter said they now regretted voting for that party. I am sharing a selection of these stories below, which have been edited for length and clarity.”

We heard from 300 people about what they are paying in health insurance premiums after Affordable Care Act subsidies expired.

01/27/2026

https://vnews.com/2026/01/23/healthcare-costs-upper-valley/
“The American health care system is broken, with high costs, long waits for elective surgery, and a shortage of primary care physicians, and while universal health care coverage is not currently politically feasible, it could save Americans $650 billion a year by eliminating bureaucracy, profiteering, and administrative costs.
…
“Medicare for All is an appealing point of departure for universal coverage, because the existing Medicare program, like Social Security, is pretty efficient and highly regarded by recipients. A solid foundation exists for expansion, even if it is done gradually over time.
…
”The wealth is there to create universal health care coverage if the American people can generate the political will to do so.”

The American healthcare system is broken, with high costs, inaccessibility, and shortages. Universal health coverage may be the solution.