written by Catherine Rader on behalf of the LWV of Vermont board

written to: 

• members of the Vermont House and
• Senate Health Care Committees,
• the Speaker of the House,
• the President pro tem of the Senate.

Last session, the League of Women Voters of Vermont  advocated for H.248/S.53, which calls for universal, publicly funded primary care for all Vermonters.

 We wish to reemphasize that support as the new Legislative session approaches, and urge that you make passing this legislation a priority when you reconvene in January.

 Most health care is primary care.  Accessible, publicly funded health care will save money.  When patients do not delay a doctor visit because of cost, more complex, expensive care is avoided.  Include  mental health care and substance abuse counseling to primary care, and even more problems are prevented.  Publicly funded primary care is an investment in public health.  

 Pass this bill to set the framework for this important basic human need.  Let the Joint Fiscal Office provide a way to make universal primary care a reality for Vermonters.  In these uncertain times, it is even more important that states take action to protect the wellbeing of their citizens.  To do less is to be penny wise and pound foolish.

 The League studies issues and deliberates the pros and cons before reaching a consensus on advocacy.  The LWVUS used that process before adopting a position in favor of a national single payer health care system more than 20 years ago.

While continuing to pursue that goal, the League recognized that the individual states can provide models for the nation.  In Vermont the League conducted its own study, adopted in 2005, to reach a position more amenable to state-level implementation.   That position is the basis for the League's strong support for H.248.  Our position can be seen at https://my.lwv.org/vermont/position/health-care.