After spending millions of dollars and wasting many years trying to “reform” Vermont’s healthcare, hundreds of thousands of Vermonters struggle to afford and access health care. 

Exorbitant health insurance rates drive increasingly unaffordable school budgets.

Vermont Health Connect ACA (Obamacare) premiums are the highest in the nation.

Employers go out of business because they can't afford employee health coverage.

The number of uninsured, underinsured, and debt-ridden Vermonters continues to rise.

It is past time that Vermont follows through on its intent that the legislature “achieve health care reform through the coordinated efforts of an independent board, state government, and the citizens of Vermont, with input from health care professionals, businesses, and members of the public.” [§ 1 of 2011’s Act No. 48]

Vermont's principles of health care reform require that "Vermont must ensure universal access to and coverage for high-quality, medically necessary health services for all Vermonters. Systemic barriers, such as cost, must not prevent people from accessing necessary health care" [18 V.S.A. § 9371].

Accordingly, we the undersigned call for Vermont’s Governor and Legislature to hold open hearings to provide citizens of Vermont an opportunity to testify on their experiences with health care and what needs to be done to provide quality, affordable healthcare to all.