VTDigger

By Mike Faher

A key House committee is backing a taxpayer-funded system of universal primary care, bucking those who have expressed concerns about such a system.

The House Health Care Committee on Wednesday voted 6-5 to support a version of S.53 that explicitly endorses publicly financed primary care. The care should be available to Vermonters “without cost-sharing,” the bill says.

The Senate last month approved language that was much less definitive. But a majority of House Health Care Committee members said they want to push the state toward health care that is more accessible and more affordable.

“Whether or not this bill survives the rest of the process and becomes a law, I think today we need to make a decision that makes a policy statement,” said Rep. Brian Cina, P-Burlington……continue article at original website