H.156– Healthcare is a human right
In direct conflict with Vermont’s Progressive reputation is the increasingly dismal reality of our healthcare system. 44% of Vermonters under 65 are underinsured, with even higher rates for Vermonters with marginalized identities. Yet, with insurance premiums rising by 66% since 2013, the Median Hourly Wage has increased by less than a third of that rate.
41% of all privately insured Vermonters have a deductible over $4,000. Yet in 2020, over 36% of Americans could not come up with $400 in an emergency! Medical debt has put thousands of patients in crisis situations while low salaries leave nurses exhausted without the pay to match. Our healthcare system is broken for everyone except the Administrators within the industry who continue to receive increasingly high salaries.
How do we continue to let these disparities thrive, in the “bluest” state in the country where, supposedly, universal access to healthcare is already included in our state statute?
It’s time to put an end to increasing inequality and unnecessary debt, while we pivot to ensure that quality healthcare that doesn’t break the bank and becomes actually accessible to all Vermonters regardless of wealth status, racial identity, gender identity, or whether they live with a disability.
Progressive champion Rep. Brian Cina (Chittenden-15) introduced H.156 last week, commonly denoted the “Universal Primary Care” Bill. H.156 would ensure uncompromising access to Primary Care for all Vermonters. This would be through the implementation of Green Mountain Care, a publicly financed health care program for all Vermont residents. Over time, starting with primary care in the first year, adding preventive dental and vision care in the second year, the plan would incorporate additional health care services in later years.
Public caucus
Join us this coming Tuesday, February 7th, at noon, in Pavilion 270 (or on YouTube) for our public caucus’ discussion with Rep. Cina; Universal Healthcare policy expert Ethan Parke, Kate Kanelstein from the Vermont Workers Center; Liz Medina, Executive Director of the VT State Labor Council at the VT AFL-CIO; and Daniel Barlow, Executive Director of the Barre Health and Wellness Clinic. Our guests will discuss the issues with our healthcare system, potential solutions, as well as the Universal Primary Care bill.
The following week, we will be holding a Public Caucus on H.66, a bill that improves Paid Family and Medical Leave. Stay tuned for information on guests and an overview of the bill.
Progs in the Press
Health care providers seek legislative action to curb workplace violence
Health care providers have reported several instances of violence from patients. In response, S.26 has been introduced to permit the arrest of individuals who threaten the safety of healthcare providers without a warrant. Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky highlights the need to address root causes of such violence: “To me, this is a symptom of a need to invest in our communities,” she said. “I support anything we can do to keep our health care workers safe, of course, but I don’t think we are getting anywhere close to the root of this problem.”
Final Reading: Legislators try to revive universal health care plan
Rep. Brian Cina introduced the Universal Primary Care Bill on Tuesday, and they refused to be ignored. Setting an intention of “healthcare is a human right,” Cina led many co-sponsors of the bill to the Office of Legislative Counsel to formally introduce the bill together.
All Things LGBTQ+ is an interview series of LGBTQ+ Vermonters making a difference. On Wednesday, Rep. Mulvaney-Stanak discusses legislative priorities and the Rainbow Caucus, a community of LGBTQ+ Vermont legislators offering a unique perspective.
Chittenden County Legislators Respond to the 2023 Governor’s Budget Address
In response to Gov. Scott’s Budget address, Rep. Emma Mulvaney-Stanak and Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky alerted us of an insufficient investment in childcare. Additionally, the Governor’s address offered only a very minimal reference to the climate catastrophe The downstream effects of this disregard will, before we know it, impact every facet of our livelihoods in Vermont. There is an extremely concerning lack of reference to harm reduction services, supporting educators and middle-income Vermonters, as well as a lack of consideration to aiding lower income Vermonters in buying homes (escalating cyclical poverty). Emma summarizes the budget address as consisting of “tiny, incremental investments in areas that need much more significant attention to actually make systemic change.”
Final Reading: Vermont House passes budget adjustment without GOP support
In light of many stark concerns with the Governor’s budget address, the Vermont House passed budget adjustment with unanimous vote of Democrats and Progressives in the House Appropriations Committee and on the House floor. Included in adjustments are $21 million to maintain VT’s emergency motel housing program. These funds became a point of contention among Republicans who attempted to correlate recipients of this program (without evidence) to an increase in crime. Rep. Brian Cina refuted this, stating how “In all the research I've ever reviewed, it shows that lack of housing hurts health and it makes crime worse.”
Key points on Universal Healthcare in a Column from Advocate Deb Richter
Advocate Deb Richter addresses the issues in our Health Care system and rebuts many points of contention surrounding Universal Primary Care. Get informed with her column in the Caledonian Record.
