Democratic Representative George Till of Jericho has released a “survey” that some in the media are eating up. While showing Vermont physicians are split on supporting “single-payer” health care (presumably either a straight-up version, or the modified form being pushed through the legislature), it also indicates that a quarter of those surveyed were “likely to stop practicing in medicine in Vermont if a government-run single-payer were initiated.”
That’s pretty harsh language, and as we all know, how questions are phrased impact the answers received. One also wonders a bit about the genesis of this “survey.” WCAX’s coverage included the following from universal coverage activist Deb Richter:
“That was a nonscientific survey,” said Dr. Deb Richter, a Vermont physician. “I happen to know that people took it who weren’t physicians who pretended they were. And there were people who took it more than once. So it’s hard to believe the results of a survey that weren’t scientifically done. So I wouldn’t make any conclusions about that.”
But this came from George Till – Democratic lawmaker. Isn’t he supportive of health care reform? The WCAX story labeled him so:
(Till) is a physician and supports the move to single-payer.
Surely that’s true, yes? After all, here’s a link to Till’s supporter page on Democracy For America’s website, which lists health care reform as one of his issues:
I believe that we have an obligation to provide universal health care and must find a way to bend the health care cost curve to accomplish this.
In addition, he voted for the reform bill in the House. That should make it clear, yes?
But wait a minute, the coverage of the survey in the Rutland Herald & Times Argus (paywalled) describes Till quite differently; as a single-payer “skeptic.”
So which is it – and which media outlet did not do their due diligence?
Based on emails in circulation, “skeptic” is closer to the truth, and WCAX has no business pushing Till as a proponent. Till, despite his vote, works behind the scenes to undermine the effort in no uncertain ways. Here’s an email from Till pushing his “survey” (emphasis added):
Thanks to all who have answered my survey. Anyone who has not yet completed it please do so. If you need the link please email me directly.
[…] I want to make it clear that the single payer religion is very strong in Montpelier as is the magical thinking that it will cure all problems with our health care system.
I want to make you all aware that next Thursday, April 7 at the State House there will be a public hearing for providers. I’m pretty sure the single payer crowd plans to pack the room and witness list. The more of you that can come to Montpelier and testify the better.
Best wishes,
george till
So here’s a guy who ran on reform, voted for it, but behind the scenes is working the media to scuttle it, referring to single-payer as “magical thinking” and its proponents as members of a “single-payer religion.” He dismisses the overwhelming positive testimony as the “single payer crowd” packing hearings. And on his own website, he’s already laying out the framework to be able to run for re-election on both sides of the issue.
Lots of words leap to mind: disingenuous. Cowardly. Are you for it, or against it, Dr. Till? Against it before you were for it before you were against it, I suppose.
One thing for sure is that the reliably progressive district he represents deserves better. Till should have the light of day shined on his attempts to dupe voters by playing both sides of the issue, and if there’s any justice, he should find himself primaried by a better candidate next year.
A couple of weeks back before the bill passed the House, I was sitting at a table with him and another state rep, who were having a conversation about H.202. At the time he sounded very skeptical about it, and he listed several concerns he had about it, mainly cost containment and how doctors in the state are already underpaid by Medicaid, etc. He had already sponsored several bills relating to sin taxes, on candy, tobacco products and sugar-sweetened beverages (H. 98, H. 109, H. 151, respectively), which in his view are cost-drivers and weren’t even being addressed by H. 202.
I was a bit surprised that he voted for the bill in the end, but as he explains on his website, there were several amendments to the bill that made it acceptable for him to vote for it in the end. The most important change was the removal of “single payer” and having it replaced with “universal and unified health care system”, an amendment that was introduced by Rep. Larson. He also seemed to have doubts about the capabilities of the Green Mountain Care Board to carry out its responsibilities as currently set in the legislation because the scope of the work, in his view, is very large and a great level of expertise is needed, without it turning into a fiasco quickly. That is what I interpreted from the conversation he had with the other state rep. He seems honest enough in trying to tackle the health care albatross as it currently exists. I would leave it to the voters of Jericho to decide if he’s doing a good job or not.
Something smells about Dr. Till and his survey. Is this the new strategy to derail Single Payor: set up a stooge as a supporter, and then sell him big as having second thoughts? Shame on WCAX for misrepresenting Till and omitting important details about the text of the survey.
My gut told me the ‘survey’ was slanted, that nagging ‘somethin’ just ain’t right’.
This is not the first time WCAX has reported information which other equally so-called reputable sources had same info but very different results & story.
The fact that it was done by a legislator @ this particular juncture was suspect.
Obviously unacceptable to use unscientific polling data period. If using dubious results to then steer the issue in the direction poller & others wishes it to go, rather disturbing.
I am not in total agreement w/health care plan. But I still feel that moving forward is the only way to go & fixing the bugs later. Primary reason-the opposing forces are moneyed interests which have been bleeding the health care delivery system everywhere forever, insurance companies who stand to lose big. Since they are the primary problem, so be it.
Opponents are desperate to do anything to dilute, delay, stop this reform, know they’re on the wrong side of the votes and history, and are throwing out whatever they can. Whether they’re calling it socialism or magical thinking, whether they’re proposing amendments to do more study or pushing bogus polls, they aren’t gaining traction. They’re jealous the grassroots better represent Vermonters and are better mobilized than a handful of people who suffer from the sicknesses of avarice and ignorance. The foot stomping about leaving the state will achieve nothing.