Health Care For All

VPIRG believes all Vermonters deserve access to quality health care at a cost they can afford. Vermont is a national leader in health care. However, our current system is just the first step on the path towards quality, affordable health care. We've led the nation on health care reform before by creating programs like Dr. Dynasaur. Now it's time to continue that work by making health care affordable for all Vermonters.

UPCOMING EVENTS- COME ONE, COME ALL!

There are a couple of exciting opportunities to show your support for health care reform coming up that we want to encourage you to attend. The details are below but feel free to contact VPIRG advocate, Susan Baker, if you have any questions. She can be reached via email at susan@vpirg.org or via phone at 802-223-8421, ext. 8420. Hope to see you there, and bring a friend or family member!

Health Care is a Human Right Rally- Friday, May 1

The Vermont Worker’s Center is holding a rally to culminate its Health Care is a Human Right campaign on May 1 from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm in front of the State House in Montpelier. The event will celebrate health care as a human right with street theater, music, health care reform information, and more! We’re even told there is a dunk tank on the list of fun activities for the whole family.

VPIRG will be here, along with its partner groups, to share its vision on health care reform at the federal level. We have been designated the lead group in Vermont’s state coalition for the nation’s largest grassroots campaign for health care reform, Health Care for America Now! (HCAN), which is fighting to win a guarantee of quality, affordable health care for everyone in this state and country in 2009. VPIRG and others will be tabling with information on the campaign- including its principles, recent activities, supporters and more- and about its work to ensure every Vermonter has access to good health care.

Volunteer/Activist Training- Saturday, May 16

After getting fired up for health care reform at the May 1 rally, join us for a volunteer training session co-hosted by VPIRG, American Cancer Society and Vermont’s Campaign for Health Care Security. We will be meeting at the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier on Saturday, May 16, from 1:30 pm to 5:30 pm to train people who are interested in becoming more active in the health care reform debate. Whether you want to learn the basics about access to health care and the reform movement- how a bill becomes a law, the lay of the land at the state and federal levels- or you are ready for more action- calling your Members of Congress or local representatives, working with the media, and holding house parties- we have something for everyone!

We will post more information and the agenda as it becomes available but please mark your calendars for these exciting opportunities to get involved in an important and timely issue- health care. We all know we are suffering under the current system that benefits a large, profitable insurance industry, so let’s show our support for change by coming out to these events!

Hand Delivered: Comments to Obama's Health Reform Team

President Obama's health care team came to Burlington on Tuesday March 17th, and with your help, we hand delivered over 200 comments calling for major health care reform this year. VPIRG advocate Susan Baker (pictured at left) was there in person and had the wonderful opportunity to partcipate in the discussion. It was an exciting opportunity to see doctors, students, nurses and patients from all over Vermont joining in the debate. In case you missed the live webcast, check out the Burlington Free Press article on the forum.

Congressman Welch was there and we are proud that he's endorsed our principles: we need quality, affordable health care that puts people's health before profits; equal access to coverage in all of our communities; a choice of health care plans which includes access to a high-quality public plan; a choice of doctors; fair, strict rules for insurance companies, and a standard for benefits we can count on. Congressman's Welch's support will be critical in this debate, and his support is great.

Another Health Care Forum in Series Brings Together Community Members and Legislators

The Washington County Community Forum on Access to Health Care went off…almost without a hitch. Despite a minor emergency confusing some and turning away several would-be attendees, 16 people gathered in the Montpelier Senior Center Thursday evening, February 12, to discuss this timely issue that affects everyone. Members of the community representing personal struggles with accessing health care, various health clinics, neighborhood groups joined legislators to talk about the health care needs of people in Vermont and how we can work to gain quality, affordable health care for everyone in the state. Sen. Ann Cummings, Rep. Mary Hooper, Rep. Sue Minter, Rep. Paul Poirier and Rep. Adam Greshin (both of whom serve on the House Health Care Committee) attended the event and shared their insight and opinions on the state’s successes and areas for improvement regarding access to health care.  One thing is certain: the community and its leaders are looking for ways to support Vermonters and better our health care system.

This was the fourth in a series of forums held in different counties around the state.  The first three were held in Rutland, Lamoille, and Chittenden Counties.  Please watch the website for information about the next forums, or contact Susan Baker, VPIRG’s Health Care Advocate, at susan@vpirg.org with questions.

Health Care Forum Draws Crowd

The Burlington Community Forum on Access to Health Care was a great success. Over 30 people came to share their personal story and struggles with gaining quality affordable Healch Care in Vermont. We were also joined by Rep. Rachel Weston (D-Burlington), Rep. Jason Lorber (D-Burlington), Rep. Kesha Ram ( D-Burlington) and Rep. Kristy Spengler (D-Colchester), who pledged to continue looking for ways to support Vermonters finding Health Care in tough economic times.

Come join our next forum in Montpelier at 7pm on Thursday, February 12, at the Senior Citizens Activity Center, which is located at 58 Barre Street.

Please come to provide your thoughts on how health care access can improve, educate legislators about the challenges you and the people you love experience in accessing health care in Vermont, or simply attend to listen!