VTDigger

By Mike Faher

Advocates for a publicly financed, universal system of primary health care are trying again to advance the initiative after it stalled in the state Legislature last year.

H.129, which was introduced last week, calls for a universal primary care system to be in place by 2023.

Many questions remain, including how the state would pay for such a system. But Rep. Brian Cina, P/D-Burlington and the bill’s lead sponsor, said public financing is critical to ensuring universal access to preventative care.

“By investing in universal primary care, we can improve population health and save lives and save money,” Cina said.

The current push for universal primary care has roots in Act 48, the sweeping 2011 health care law that said the state “must ensure universal access to and coverage for high-quality, medically necessary health services for all Vermonters.”

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