STATE OF VERMONT HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES MONTPELIER ss-s0t November 17,2014 ‘The Honorable Peter €, Shurlin Governor, State of Vermont 109 State Street, Pavilon Montpelier, Vermont 05609 Dear Governor Shumlin, "No doubt you have spent the last week taking stock of your administrations actions over the last few years, deciding what changes are necessary going forward into the next session. One of the most pressing Issues we wil face I the vetting of you “single payer" heath care proposal. ‘As we begin the session, we are stil without Act 4's important deals, particularly your legally overdue financing proposal. Arguably, the fllure to come up witha financing plan that could have been shared withthe publi prior tothe election, inadstion tothe failure af Vermont tht the election for Governor waz Ntorically close. Health Connect, were among the renzone ‘Therefore, as we go forward debating the detail of your plan, including the very important financing mechanism you will propose tis critica that we can assure Vermonters that ‘transparency wil be a vital par of that process and all views, questions, and concerns will be respected. Ths, unfortunately, iin doubt at this ime, so our concerns aren't unwarranted Consider the actions of last November ina Health Care Committee meeting. Department of Vermont Health Access Commissioner Mak Larson admitted to withholding information about 2 security breach with regard to Vermont Health Connect. In response, you acknowledged ina WAX interview on November 25, 2013, that your staff must be absolutely transparent with legislators but, inthis instance, fale, ‘Then last August your staff shared confidential heslthcare documents with fur legislators, aiming Executive Privilege in order to avoid open meeting laws; 2 distinction without 2 difference, given that this was a breach ofthe separation of powers, fundamental to defending Executive Privilege, Once again, transparency inthis case was thwarted ‘The single most egregious isue, however, s Vermont’s $450,000 contract with MIT Professor Jonathan Gruber, an individual about whom we have serious concerns.‘The Honorable Peter. Shum November 17, 2014 Page2 Itis our understanding that Mr. Gruber helped write the report that was used asthe bass for [Act AB and now continues in a contract to help develop is financing pan ‘As you know, Mr. Gruber hasbeen atthe center ofa national controversy over comments he ‘made regarding the creation of the Affordable Care Act. Several videos have surfaced In which Mr. Gruber makes statements relative to his strategy on enacting Obamacare In one particular video, Gruber says, “Lack of transparency is @ huge politcal advantage. And ‘basicaly, clit the stupidity ofthe American voter or whatever, but basically that was realy, ‘ally crtial to getting the thing to pass In another, one that ts closer to home, Mr. Gruber displayed that same arrogant behavior right herein Vermont. Ina committee meeting a Montpeller on February 11,2011, Gruber responded to legitimate concerns raised by Vermonters about your single-payer heath care proposal by mocking the concerns and laughingly saying, "Was his written by my adolescent children by any chance?” Wiile Vermont’ Heath Care Reform Chef Lawrence Mille called these statements appalling and unacceptable, he has indicated that you will continue to employ Mr. Gruber. He sid, We are only going to use his economic analysis and not any of his other advice.” Mr. Governor, we don’t think you can rely onthe “stupidity” of Vermont voters to accept this ‘This arrogant and disrespectful attitude is totally unacceptable and will undermine the entire process and debate going forward if Mr. Gruber continues. No one who speaks of Americans, land therefore Vermonters, a2 stupid, or who boasts ofa process that has “Tack of ‘transparency’ should remain under contact, being paid by the very people he has insulted. In ‘our opinion, Mr. Gruber has disqualified himself and we urge you to terminate his contract Jimmediately. Fallureto do so will only further erode Vermonters confidence in a process that has alroady lft much tobe desired. We look forward to hearing from you. Sincerely, Representative Kurt Wright Representative Patt Komline Representative Hedi Scheuermann