Lack of understanding

Bob Zeliff has once again used these pages to misinform readers and misrepresent the position of Vermonters for Health Care Freedom (“Wennberg’s shifting story, May 11). VHCF and nearly every business group and association in Vermont continue to object to the state’s decision to outlaw private insurance outside the proposed health benefits exchange. This will force up to 100,000 Vermonters and their employers to drop their current health insurance and purchase a plan from the limited, undefined and untested state-controlled exchange as of Jan. 1, 2012.

Mr. Zeliff goes on to repeat his misunderstanding of how federal funds flowing to Vermonters who participate in the exchange under the Affordable Care Act will be captured by the state to finance Vermont’s experiment in government monopoly single payer called Green Mountain Care. Multiple Shumlin administration officials have confirmed this but Mr. Zeliff seems oblivious. I quote an article published by VT Digger the same day Bob’s letter appeared in The Times Argus: “The governor’s staff has said the state will use $200 million to $400 million in federal tax credits that will be available through the federal Affordable Care Act.”

If The Times Argus readers are confused they should not feel badly; this appears to be the purpose of the never ending and somewhat goofy attacks from single payer advocates against anyone who disagrees with their prescription for health care reform. They appear to subscribe to the adage, “if you can’t convince them, confuse them.”

Jeff Wennberg

Executive director

Vermonters for Health Care Freedom

Montpelier