Archive for May 28th, 2011

May 28th, 2011

Vermont’s Single Payer Healthcare System

by Andrew

On Thursday Vermont became the first state to enact a single payer healthcare system for its citizens. It’s not exactly surprising that one of the country’s most liberal states has become the first state to legislate a fundamental right to healthcare for all of its citizens. And, should the federal government allow them to proceed, it is only a few years until Vermont surpasses Massachusetts in the percentage of its population that has access to healthcare.

About a week ago, the New York Times ran a story about the campaign to pass this law. The article focused mostly on one of the main advocates for the law, though it did briefly quote one of the main opponents, a former Republican state senator. For once we weren’t subjected to the same tired old excuses, that government has no place in the healthcare market, meant to protect the healthcare industry.

The argument, also used during the fight over national healthcare reform, was that the new healthcare law, specifically the new taxes that would be necessary to enact it, would drive businesses from Vermont. This is an argument that of course makes little sense; Vermont will be replacing its current healthcare system with a cheaper one. Businesses that currently provide healthcare to their employees will almost certainly see a fall in their expenditures on healthcare. Yes, businesses that do not provide healthcare to their employees will be negatively impacted, but are these the type of businesses one wants in their state? read more »

May 28th, 2011

UML graduation slideshow

by DickH

A video slideshow from today’s UMass Lowell graduation at the Tsongas Center. All reports indicate it was a well-run, dignified ceremony. Congratulations to all graduates:

May 28th, 2011

1990. 1972. Bruins in June.

by PaulM

Horton from Krejci: Goal. (Web photo by Brian Snyder courtesy of Reuters)

Boston is back in the Stanley Cup finals for the first time since 1990 for a chance to win it all for the first time since 1972, the Bobby Orr era. I was a senior in high school the last time the Bruins won the NHL championship. It’s been years since I could name more than two active players for the black-and-gold. My attention had drifted from the hockey game in Boston. I’ve liked Patrice Bergeron since he broke in several years ago. He’s the special talent at center, but there’s no real superstar other than Tim Thomas, kind of a surprise at 37 years old.

By now, local hockey fans know that Thomas “almost” attended UMass Lowell, but went to Vermont because Duane Roloson of the Lightning (Tampa Bay) was the starting goalie. Last night at the wildly successful Commencement Eve Gala, the Distinguished Alumni Award-winner John Kennedy recounted the lessons of Tim Thomas’s career: Don’t be sidetracked from your dream by temporary failure, and don’t shy away from a risk to reach your objective. Kennedy is a former Lowell Tech math major who became highly successful in business and is now a generous contributor to UMass Lowell. The Gala, by the way, raised $620,000 for student scholarships. Wicked impressive.

From 1970 and 1972 championship Bruins teams I can name and picture in my head the core players: Orr, Esposito, Cheevers, Sanderson, Bucyk, McKenzie, Westfall, Stanfield, Johnston, Awrey, Walton, Marcotte, Vadnais, O’Reilly, D. Smith, R. Smith, Doak, Carleton, Hodge, Cashman, Sather, Lorentz, Leach, Green, Bailey. I think I might remember some of the players from this team that will take on the Vancouver Canucks for the big prize.

May 28th, 2011

54th Massachusetts Regiment ~ Marches Through Boston May 27, 1863

by Marie

Today MassMoments reminds us that on May 27, 1863 the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry – gathered on the Boston Common then paraded in review by the State House as they began their way South. This first black regiment from the North had orders to to proceed to Beaufort, South Carolina and were sent off by thousands of well-wishers including Governor John A. Andrew. The soldiers were remembered more recently in the movie “Glory” but immortalized in 1897 in the famous Augustus Saint-Gaundens’ Memorial to their commander Robert Gould Shaw and the men of 54th Massachusetts Regiment. This statue remains one of the great works of public art in the country. Read the full article on the formation of the 54th, the seige at Ft. Wagner and the controversial treatment on the issue of pay and equal treatment here at MassMoments.com – http://www.massmoments.org/moment.cfm?mid=157.