Friday, October 10, 2014

0-9-14 – Seniors, Medicare & Single Payer

Important issue for seniors.

0-9-14 – Seniors, Medicare & Single Payer
posted by Rob Roper

An interesting kerfuffle popped up in the comment pages of Vermont Digger’s recent article,Feliciano Claims Shumlin Wants to Take Over Medicare. First, the way the headline is phrased is meant to cast doubt on the “claim.” However, Act 48 as passed – which Shumlin signed and his party and the Progressives wrote and voted for – spells out specifically that the Vermont does in fact want to take over Medicare. It states with emphasis added:
“The director, in collaboration with the agency of human services, SHALL obtain waivers, exemptions, agreements, legislation, or a combination thereof to ensure that, to the extent possible under federal law, ALL FEDERAL PAYMENTS PROVIDED WITHIN THE STATE FOR HEALTH SERVICES ARE PAID DIRECTLY TO GREEN MOUNTAIN CARE. GREEN MOUNTAIN CARE SHALL ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE BENEFITS AND SERVICES PREVIOUSLY PAID FOR BY the federal programs, including Medicaid, MEDICARE, and, after implementation, the Vermont health benefit exchange.” (Page 12)
And,
“The agency SHALL SEEK PERMISSION from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services TO BE THE ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE MEDICARE PROGRAM IN VERMONT.” (Page 85)
Digger reporter Morgan True pointed out that Act 48 has since been refined to read,
(e) The Agency SHALL SEEK PERMISSION from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services TO BE THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE MEDICARE PROGRAM IN VERMONT. If the Agency is unsuccessful in obtaining such permission, Green Mountain Care shall be the secondary payer with respect to any health service that may be covered in whole or in part by Title XVIII of the Social Security Act (Medicare).

The new language reflects the reality that Shumlin et al may not get what they want from the feds, but it’s not a “claim” by Feliciano that the governor and the legislature WANT to take over Medicare. It’s a fact codified in law. And, they are legally obligated to try.

Whether successful or not, seniors will be impacted by the transition to single payer should it occur. If Vermont gets its waivers, Medicare will be folded into Green Mountain Care. If not, then GMC will become the secondary or “wrap around” payer. This means that seniors who have private wrap around or Medigap policies could potentially no longer be able to obtain them. GMC will fill that role; how well, who knows? All we know for sure is that the program will be administered by the same people who brought us the Vermont Health Connect debacle. Not comforting.

Many commenters on the Digger article accused Feliciano of trying to scare seniors. But, these are facts. If the facts are scary, we have a problem.

- Rob Roper is president of the Ethan Allen Institute www.ethanallen.org

Thursday, October 9, 2014

SELECT BOARD MEETING 10-14-14

SELECT BOARD MEETING
October 14, 2014
7:30pm
Mount Holly School Gym
AGENDA
1. Pledge of Allegiance
2. Additions or Changes to Agenda
3. Approval of Meeting Minutes of September 09, 2014
4. Highways
a. Tarbellville Road culvert
b. State Project Completion and Certification Report (FEMA)
c. New Garage project report
5. Report of Treasurer
a. Monthly income and expense report
6. Transfer Station
a. Review charges for window A/C and water coolers
b. Electronics Recycling contract - signatures
7. Insurance
a. PACIF Renewal Application
b. Health Insurance update
8. Planning Commission
a. Continue posting and publication of two terms for November 2014?
9. Other
a. Liquor License – Brooklyn Pub
10. Review and sign September orders for payment
11. Executive Session (if needed)

Wednesday, October 8, 2014

2015 Mount Holly Calendar on sale Cider Days weekend!

2015 Mount Holly Calendar
on sale Cider Days weekend!


Belmont Green

Community Center - lower level
Belmont General Store



Can't get to Belmont to buy your calendar?  
Go to this link to view the calendar photos
and download the order form:

http://www.mounthollyvt.org/photos/calendar-2009/


For more information, contact Janet Warren at 802-259-2007

2014 Mount Holly Photo Contest

2014 Mount Holly Photo Contest

Vote for your favorite photos for the 
2016 Mount Holly Calendar


NOW OPEN
 during Library Hours 

and
Cider Days Weekend
Saturday, October 11:  10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, October 12:  noon to 4 p.m.

Lo
wer Level
Community Center/Library

Awards Ceremony 

1 p.m.
Sunday, October 12
Lower Level of Community Center/Library

Windsor County Candidates Forum in Ludlow Oct. 23

Note:  Photos of three of the forum participants attached:  files indicate names, they are
Dennis Devereux, RW2 Republican candidate
Dick McCormack, Democratic candidate for Windsor County Senate
John Campbell, Democratic candidate for Windsor County Senate
 
Windsor County Candidates Forum in Ludlow Oct. 23
 
FOLA (Friends of Ludlow Auditorium) has announced that it will sponsor a Candidates Forum on Thursday, October 23 at 7 PM at the Ludlow Town Hall Auditorium.  The forum will feature candidates for the Windsor County Senate seats in Montpelier as well as the newly-created Rutland-Windsor (RW-2) seat in the House.  The RW-2 seat will represent Ludlow, Mt Holly, and Shrewsbury.
 
The forum will consist of questions addressed to the candidates by the moderator regarding state and regional issues.  Questions from the audience will follow.
 
All three candidates seeking the Windsor County Senate seats have agreed to participate in the forum.  They are:  John Campbell, Dick McCormack, and Alice Nitka, all Democrats. 
 
Dennis Devereux, Republican, seeking reelection to the RW2 House seat has agreed to participate in the forum.  RW2 covers Ludlow, Mt Holly, and Shrewsbury.
 
Two candidates seeking the Cavendish-Weatherfield House seat will appear as well.  Mark Huntley, Democrat and incumbent, will participate along with Stu Lindberg, and Independent.
 
The forum will be moderated by Ralph Pace. 
 
For further information, 802-228-7239 or www.fola.us.
  
 

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Fletcher Memorial Library Fundraiser


Fletcher Memorial Library Announces its 2014 Fall Fundraiser

October 13th- November 26th

Fletcher Memorial Library
88 Main Street
Ludlow, Vermont 05149

Fletcher Memorial Library in Ludlow, Vermont is excited to announce its 2014 Fall Fundraiser, which will feature locally produced Halladay’s Harvest Barn Products. Halladay’s Harvest Barn, located in Bellows Falls Vermont, is known for its delicious all natural herb blends and mixes. The fundraiser will include, distinctive soup mixes, savory herb blends, scrumptious cheesecake mixes, aromatic oil blends and other robust selections such as Campfire Chili and Carmel Apple Dip. All products are fresh, preservative free and gluten free and there is sure to be something to suit every palate. All products include recipes and would make wonderful holiday gifts and stocking stuffers! Be sure to stop by the library during normal business hours to make your selections. All proceeds will benefit Fletcher Memorial Library Youth Services. Please contact Sacha Krawczyk, Youth Services Librarian for more information.  (802)288-3517
Hours of Operation:
 Monday 10-7
Tuesday-Friday 10-5
Saturday 10-1

--
Sacha Krawczyk
Youth Services Librarian
Fletcher Memorial Library
Ludlow, Vermont 05149