Thanks to everyone who called into the State House. Thanks to you we are one step closer to universal heath care!
Just minutes ago we got word that the State Senate is fast tracking the health care bill and will be voting on it today.
The Senate Health Care Committee passed the health care bill 5-0 Wednesday, beating back the worst amendments that would have given far more power to insurance companies and jeopardized this rare opportunity we have to ensure that every Vermonter has access affordable health care.
Late April 6th, the Senate voted overwhelming in favor S.15, which guarantees coverage for midwifery services in Vermont. The bill will end the discrimination against expecting mothers who would prefer to have their child in the comfert and supportive environment of their own home but currently have to pay for home birth out of pocket, in addition to their monthly private insurance premium.
On Thursday March 24th, the House of Representatives passed Vermont’s comprehensive health care reform bill H.202 in a 89-47 vote. This bill is the first step on the path towards a health care system that is universal, affordable, transparent – and fair. Everyone participates, and most importantly, everyone would be covered.
The Vermont House of Representatives is debating Vermont’s comprehensive health care reform bill (H.202), and will likely vote on it on Thursday March 23rd. In the next few hours there will be attempts to stall the bill, and there will be amendments introduced to weaken it.
Green Mountain Care is a universal health care program that will provide every Vermont resident with coverage for and access to high-quality, essential health services through a single payment system. It will take us a few years to get there, but H.202 is a bold and necessary step towards this goal. It includes clear goals, a strategic plan, and specific roadmap to get us from our current broken system to one that is universal, reliable, and patient-centered.
The public hearing on state health care reform scheduled for this past Monday has been postponed until next Monday, the 14th, on account of the weather. It’s still being hosted by the House and Senate Health Care Committees from 6-8 pm, just a week later (hopefully we’ll all be dug out by then!). Join fellow activists, friends, and neighbors in showing your support for building a universal and affordable health care system at one of 15 Vermont Interactive Television sites across the state.
As Vermont transitions from a private insurance system to one that is publicly-financed and universal, it is critical that the daily concerns of our families and small businesses are not swept under the rug. This is a real danger and we need your help to stop it from happening.
Tuesday, Gov. Shumlin laid out his plan for making dependable, affordable health care a reality in Vermont. This is an historic moment for our state and is the most ambitious plan in the nation for implementing the federal health care law passed last year.
Thursday evening’s webinar on Dr. Hsiao’s three proposed health care plans and the future of health care reform in Vermont went incredibly well. Thanks to everyone who made what was our first ever webinar possible, and everyone who called in to get the inside scoop on where health care reform in Vermont is headed.
