(Promoting, with a reminder to candidates that GMD will front page messages such as this to the community. – promoted by odum)

I believe every Vermonter should have access to quality, affordable health care every day of his or her life. Call it single-payer. Call it Medicare for All. Call it whatever you want — what we need is a health care system that is focused on patient health, not tied to employment, and ensures that no Vermonter has to choose between health care and other basic necessities.

On Tuesday, I attended the “People’s Forum on Health Care” at St. Michael’s College, where I announced my plan for moving toward health care for all Vermonters.

My first step will be holding a public hearing to get the ball rolling. As Chair of the Health and Welfare Committee in the Senate, I will hold a public hearing on January 12 to begin the difficult process of building a new health care system. We will be looking at S.88 and H.100 — the bills that advocate a single payer system — as well as other legislation that may be introduced for consideration this year. This will be a joint hearing with the House Health Care Committee.

After this public hearing, I will hold committee hearings to figure out how we can move from our broken market-driven, employer-based system to a fair and just system that guarantees every single Vermonter comprehensive health care for every single day of his or her life.

I am committed to looking at the possibility of a single payer health care system in Vermont. This won’t be easy — we’ll need to convince the federal government to allow us to demonstrate that there is a better way. I do believe we can do this, and I need your help.

Please join me in this important discussion. Share your support for universal access health care, as well as your thoughts and comments on the best way to move forward:

http://dougracine.com/health-care

As a state senator, as lieutenant governor, and as a small business owner, I’ve been a passionate leader for those in need. As governor of Vermont, I will continue to fight for those most vulnerable, and it starts with a promise to pursue universal health care — the most basic of human rights — for everyone in our state.

Sincerely,

Doug Racine