Saturday May 26, 2012

BRATTLEBORO - With six state legislators under one roof, talk over breakfast Thursday morning included subjects as diverse as storm recovery, solid waste, wireless coverage and even a mention of Vermonts recent regulation of mixed martial arts.

But one topic -- health care -- surfaced repeatedly during Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerces legislative breakfast at the Brattleboro Retreat.

And as lawmakers grapple with implementing a single-payer system in Vermont, theyre also keeping a close eye on the legal battle over the national health-care reform law.

"I think theres an excellent chance it will be struck down," said Sen. Peter Galbraith, D-Townshend. "And that will affect what we do."

Galbraith made clear that he believes the Affordable Care Act -- a signature achievement of the Obama presidency, but reviled by many conservatives -- is rooted in firm legal ground. But he nonetheless predicts that the U.S. Supreme Court, which heard arguments on the law earlier this year, will strike down the act for partisan reasons.

"I believe it will be decided politically and not legally," Galbraith said, later accusing the court of functioning "like an unelected legislature."

Vermont officials have been laying groundwork for a universal, government-coordinated, single-payer health-care system that could take effect later this decade. The legislature last month took another step toward that

Rep. Mike Mrowicki, a Putney Democrat, noted that officials also have been attempting to improve residents access to health-care facilities.

"A lot of what were doing and have been doing is not necessarily tied to federal action," Mrowicki said.

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Health care dominates talk at Chamber meeting