Three new universal health care bills have been introduced to the legislature.
Click here to write to House Health. Urge them to consider these bills in their committee. Passing any of these bills would be a HUGE step forward in creating universal access and controlling escalating costs in Vermont:
- 433: phases in universal publicly financed health care with universal primary care as the first phase, followed by phasing in other sectors of care until all sectors are included.
- H267: makes hospital care a universal public good in Vermont.
- H185 makes primary care a public good for all Vermonters.
Making primary care a public good (H433 or H185) reduces the need for expensive hospitalizations and emergency room visits by preventing disease and treating conditions earlier. (Here is an FAQ on universal primary care with more information).
Making hospital care a public good can DRAMATICALLY lower our out-of-control hospital costs and guarantee every Vermonter free access to necessary hospital care. A publicly financed system of hospitals allows us to create global revenue budgets which will save our hospitals and lower costs by cutting out unnecessary administrative costs.
Most of our hospitals are losing money. Our major insurer is losing money. More and more Vermonters can’t afford their premiums, deductible and co-pays. Federal cuts in health care loom. We face a dangerous future without real and effective reform. We can pool our resources and create an efficient publicly financed system for all Vermonters or watch helplessly as our current system disintegrates, leaving ever more Vermonters unable to access the care they need.
Please support these bills! Click here to contact House Health and ask then to consider H433, H267 and H185!