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.
We are proud to launch our new website for our campaign to build on the Bottle Bill’s enormous success and not only protect the Bottle Bill, but to update it to include beverage containers such as water bottles, juice containers, and sports drinks. As we move through the legislative session, we will be adding all the new developments here to this blog as they occur. Keep an eye out for what is happening in the State House and the ways you can get involved.
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.
On Friday Entergy executives reported that Vermont Yankee’s radioactive contamination is getting worse. A new test well is showing elevated levels of radioactive tritium and our state health department is worried that even more dangerous substances may be in the ground. This means that there is either a new radioactive leak or that the previous contamination is spreading dramatically in the ground water.
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.
We want a Vermont powered by clean, homegrown energy that doesn’t create radioactive waste or wreck our planet’s climate, and we want our energy dollars to stay in the state. The pilot round of the Standard Offer moved us towards that reality.
On Wednesday January 19th Vermont’s expert consulting team, led by Harvard economist Dr. William Hsiao, will release three design options for the future of health care in our state. On January 20th VPIRG is teaming up with Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, Families USA and Governor Shumlin’s top health care advisor to give you the inside scoop on those plans.
We are on the edge of making the biggest decision about Vermont’s energy future in the past 40 years. The choice to repower Vermont with renewable energy resources or commit to an additional 20 years of Vermont Yankee will determine the legacy we leave future Vermonters.
Last spring, VPIRG successfully advocated for an e-waste law that requires manufacturers to pay for an electronics recycling program in Vermont, including free and convenient collection programs in every county across the state. The Agency of Natural Resources (ANR) has drafted their plan and took public comment — including many from our VPIRG members — in December.
Tobacco related illnesses remain the single most preventable cause of death and disease in Vermont, killing more people than alcohol, AIDS, car accidents, illegal drugs, murders and suicides combined. Treating these illnesses costs the state $223 million per year. Luckily, there is one proven method for reducing the number of smokers – raise the price …
