Lawmakers take on single-payer health care backers at rally: Rutland Herald Online

Lawmakers take on single-payer health care backers at rally: Rutland Herald Online:

"But as the crowd grew more raucous (some began interrupting lawmakers and insulting legislative staff), Rep. Patricia O'Donnell, R-Vernon, staged her own interruption as she came to the front of the room and asked people to treat their lawmakers with respect.

'If you want to be listened to, you have to be respectful,' O'Donnell, a member of the House Health Care Committee, told the crowd before a chorus of people yelling 'sit down' and 'shut up' sent her out of the room, the door slamming behind her.

Maier told the crowd the criticism for legislative staff — who have researched aspects of the hospital plan for lawmakers — is off base. He added that while he doesn't 'enjoy being yelled at, it is our job to listen and to ask the tough questions and to dig down.'

'If we don't ask these kinds of questions we would be irresponsible,' he said. 'It's not our job to pass ideas and concepts.'

Racine also told the crowd that their anger is misplaced and suggested that attention should also be focused on state and elected officials who do not support universal health care. He cited the new proposed budget from Gov. James Douglas, which he said underfunds Medicaid and will result in '$5 million in new co-pays and price increases' for Vermonters.

'I know the system is not sustainable. It's a national crisis,' Racine said. 'If some folks have ideas on how to make this work, I'm all ears.'"

Going "Colonial" in Vermont...

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