The Senate on Wednesday advanced a bill that could result in a new system of universal primary health care in Vermont.
But there’s a long way to go before the health care system envisioned in S.53 would be a reality. And the compromise version of the bill that won preliminary Senate approval does not explicitly endorse taxpayer-financed primary care, as earlier versions did.
Get all of VTDigger’s political news.
You’ll never miss a political story with our weekly headlines in your inbox.
Some supporters said they’re satisfied that S.53 identifies a possible path toward making primary care accessible to all.
“The structure this sets in place gets us closer,” said Sen. Claire Ayer, D-Addison and chair of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee. “(It) could get us to an actual plan of operations by the end of next year.”
But others said they couldn’t support a bill that doesn’t call for publicly financed health care.
“I am going to oppose this amendment because I do not feel like surrendering,” said Sen. Jeanette White, D-Windham. continue on website