Once again, we in Vermont can add another first to our lists of first in the nation. The state that was the first to outlaw slavery in its Constitution back in 1777, then broke tradition long before any other state with the first- ever civil unions law, then expanded this first place with the legislative override of Gov. Douglas’ veto of the gay and lesbian marriage bill. As The Times-Argus, quoting the New York Times, said it makes “Vermont the only state to achieve that progress through legislative action rather than a court ruling.”

In this spirit Vermont can add another first. This is health care reform. It is long past time to sever health insurance from employment and make it accessible to all Vermonters regardless of economic or employment status. So many Vermonters, whether in the public or private sectors, business (small and large) or labor, are struggling with or going bankrupt from health care expenses while the health insurance companies can lavish millions in retirement packages for their top executives. Some 60,000 Vermonters currently lack health insurance, a number that is probably growing (Gov. Douglas probably enjoys ample health coverage through state programs even as he trying to gut the state government) with the thousands of local jobs lost to this newest Great Depression.

On Friday, May 1, thousands of Vermonters from all across the state will be gathering at the Statehouse to protest that policymakers make affordable health care a human right instead of a commodity for profit. The rally, sponsored by the Vermont Workers Center in Burlington, and sponsored by over 70 different organizations, is to demand that health care be considered a human right for everyone. Our health care system is detrimental to our health. We need to change it to include all Vermonters and not just the privileged few.