We need to make health care available

Addison Independent

Sarah’s headaches had been getting worse and more frequent. But as a single mom with two teenagers, she just didn’t have the extra cash to see a doctor. Her deductible was $4,000, almost 10% of her annual income.
When her daughter finally drove her to the emergency room, the cancer from her brain tumor had metastasized. She died eight months later.

Sarah is a fictional person, but her story isn’t. Vermont has too many Sarah’s with untreated high blood pressure, bad cholesterol, pre-diabetes conditions, and other undiagnosed chronic problems. According to the Vermont Department of Health, 29% of Vermonters (187,800 people)
are underinsured, meaning their health coverage does not provide affordable access, often due to high deductibles or out-of-pocket costs.

Vermonters value the dignity and worth of every person. It’s part of the Vermont character. We have always understood that a person’s worth isn’t measured by her bank account.

When my neighbor’s child runs a fever, she shouldn’t have to calculate whether she can afford the doctor visit. When the farmer down the road feels chest pain, he shouldn’t delay seeking care because of his deductible. When anyone in our community gets sick, they should see a doctor — period. That’s what equal dignity looks like.

We don’t tell our neighbors they’re on their own when the barn burns down or the road washes out. We show up. We help. Because that’s who we are.

H.433 — Vermont’s Universal Primary Care bill — will put our values into practice. Every Vermonter will have access to primary care based on medical need, not wallet size. No premiums, no deductibles, no choosing between medicine and groceries. Just neighbors ensuring neighbors can see a doctor when they’re sick.