Vermont Panel to Meet on Single-Payer Proposal

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) — A panel of Vermont lawmakers meets this week to take up some big issues in health care and mental health care.

A daylong Statehouse session on Wednesday begins at 9 a.m. with a review of efforts to implement the information technology systems that will be crucial if the state continues toward Gov. Peter Shumlin’s goal of a single-payer health care system.

Later in the morning, there will be an update of the state agency that investigates abuse of elderly and disabled Vermonters. Adult Protective Services is being sued over what Vermont Legal Aid calls big backlogs in investigating abuse and exploitation cases.