Vermont Health Exchange

[Dickc]

Raising the tax will allow those who live near NH to buy them over the line and save the tax. I saw somewhere recently (but cannot find it) that New York State estimates that 40% of all tobacco products are brought in from other states to avoid the tax. Vermont could end up in just this same boat.
Raising the tax has not proven to be the deterrent to younger folks beginning to smoke, or at least, not as much as advocates hoped. It is somewhat of a deterrent as the overall rate of smoking has dropped to about 20% of the population from a high of 40%. The 40% was in the 1950's before the surgeon generals report. Much of the decline recently has been attributed more to the prevailing attitude that smoking is "uncool" than to the cost associated with it.
I am for whatever gets America and the rest of the world to stop using it.

[steamboat1]

Raising cigarette taxes to pay for single payer healthcare? Sounds like a good idea on the surface. Discuss.

http://digital.vpr.net/post/cigarette-t ... -286323177" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Sounds like Hillarycare.

[Guy in Shorts]

Raising cigarette taxes to pay for single payer healthcare? Sounds like a good idea on the surface.

May guess all along has been to legalize and tax pot. That will raise some real cash.

[freeski]

Raising cigarette taxes to pay for single payer healthcare? Sounds like a good idea on the surface.

May guess all along has been to legalize and tax pot. That will raise some real cash.

If Vermont did it before the surrounding states it would be like printing money. It would make casino money look like chumpchange.

[steamboat1]

You guys want to get taxed for weed?

What a bunch of mooorooons.

[madhatter]

You guys want to get taxed for weed?

What a bunch of mooorooons.

[freeski]

You guys want to get taxed for weed?

What a bunch of mooorooons.

Rather taxed than loose freedom, record and the red tape. Why does the government have the right to outlaw when worse intoxicants are legal. Do you like to support criminal cartels? Has prohibition worked? And to your point, you don't think there would still be a black market???

[deadheadskier]

Had a family member in VT recently sign up for insurance through the VHE/ACA. He got the silver plan including dental for $150 a month.

Whole process was simple for him. He had insurance and was in the doctor's office getting the care he needed within two weeks.

This individual hadn't had health insurance in 8 years. Previous investigation into open market individual plans at his income level would have cost nearly as much as his rent.

People can hate on ACA and the Vermont Health Exchange all they want. Fact is that it is helping people get the care they need who were unable to afford health care in the past.

[Bubba]

Had a family member in VT recently sign up for insurance through the VHE/ACA. He got the silver plan including dental for $150 a month.

Whole process was simple for him. He had insurance and was in the doctor's office getting the care he needed within two weeks.

This individual hadn't had health insurance in 8 years. Previous investigation into open market individual plans at his income level would have cost nearly as much as his rent.

People can hate on ACA and the Vermont Health Exchange all they want. Fact is that it is helping people get the care they need who were unable to afford health care in the past.

He could've had the same policy through the state's subsidized program for the past 5+ years. The exchange and ACA had nothing, or at least extremely little, to do with his newfound coverage.

[Bubba]

"The tech firm CGI will miss another deadline in its contract to build the Vermont Health Connect website, but instead of seeking to impose penalties the state has agreed to push back the due date, state officials said."

God forbid we hold contractors accountable.....

http://vermontbiz.com/news/may/cgi-miss ... -286323177" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Bubba]

Vermont Health Connect To Be Fully Functional In Early July - Maybe


http://digital.vpr.net/post/vermont-hea ... -286323177" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Bubba]

And now, the price increase requests begin...

http://vermontbiz.com/news/june/blue-cr ... -286323177" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Bubba]

Another deadline missed by CGI and still no discussion of penalties.

http://vermontbiz.com/news/june/vermont ... -286323177" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Bubba]

Fletcher Allen Hospital CEO questioning planned single payer system for Vermont.

http://vermontbiz.com/news/june/fletche ... -286323177" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Dr. NO]

Fletcher Allen Hospital CEO questioning planned single payer system for Vermont.

No Problem there Bubba. Per most politicians "it's all FREE". Just raise taxes on the wealthy, property owners and anyone else you can get. IT IS FREE!