The System Is Broken

Our national health care system is broken. Costs are escalating at unsustainable rates and more and more people are uninsured or underinsured, particularly in this economy. Families are faced with deciding which bills to pay and how much their loved ones’ health is worth. Employers are faced with skyrocketing premiums for employee plans, and new businesses are unable to provide insurance for their employees. I am not encouraged by the efforts at the federal level because most of what is happening there will not help Vermonters.

We Can Do Better

Here in Vermont, we can and should do better. We don’t have to wait; we can start reforming our system now. We’ve done a lot, but we’re not where we need to be. Kids have access to health care and Catamount is an improvement for those who qualify for it. I have fought over the years for these improvements, but we must do better – we must demand universal access to quality, affordable health care for all Vermonters. As Governor I will continue working on this issue until every Vermonter has access to quality, affordable health care every time they need it. We can design a system here at home to make sure all Vermonters get access to affordable care, and I want to work with the federal government to make that a reality.

Taking Action

I want to start a real conversation about what universal care would look like here in Vermont. This year, my commitment to Vermonters is that we will use the legislative committee process, and we will use the bills that are out there to move this process forward. The public will be welcomed to participate every step of the way. It’s not going to be easy, but I know it can be done. Vermont has shown a better way to accomplish a lot of things in public policy over the years. I would like to see us show a better way on health care. I think a better system in this country can start with one state. I think Vermont can be and should be that state.

Read about Doug’s past accomplishments Reforming Health Care »