Vermont Governor Unveils Next Step in Health Care Plans

Aides to Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin have unveiled the next steps in his plan to move Vermont toward a single-payer health care system, and some business groups aren’t happy about it.

Administration officials on Tuesday got two key legislative allies to introduce a bill that would set up the Vermont version of a health insurance exchange — or marketplace — called for under federal health reform legislation.

Both Jeanne Keller of Burlington, who has represented employers on health care issues, and the National Federation of Independent Business’ state chapter say by including employers with up to 100 workers, the Vermont exchange would cover too broad a range of businesses, and provide too few types of health insurance coverage.

House Health Care Committee Chairman Mike Fisher says those claims are exaggerated.