State of Vermont Archives: on Health Care
Brooke Paige:
Reject single-payer healthcare and Vermont Health Connect
Brief Outline of the Issues: Healthcare- Reject Single Payer as an unnecessary intrusion into personal and professional relationship between patient and provider - Prevent Single Payer takeover of healthcare providers.
- Reform or discontinue Certificates of Need (CON) process which will increase competition, availability of services and reduce healthcare costs.
- Implement Tort Reform to Protect Providers from artificial and frivolous lawsuits, reduce liability insurance costs and ultimately reduce healthcare costs.
- Replace Vermont Health Connect (VHC) with an open marketplace operated by the state
Insurance Department to provide information on available commercial policies allowing side-by-side comparison of rates, coverage, deductibility, co-pays, limits and exclusions.
Source: 2018 Vermont Senate campaign website BrookePaige.us
Aug 14, 2018
Bruce Lisman:
Repeal the mandate to purchase insurance
We must repeal the mandate to purchase insurance from Vermont Health Connect and transition to the federal exchange.
Our health care system must deliver quality, choice, and security to all Vermonters.
Source: 2016 gubernatorial campaign website, LismanForVermont.com
Mar 6, 2016
Christine Hallquist:
Wants to lay groundwork for universal healthcare system
Work with like-minded states to lay the groundwork for a universal healthcare system--despite Vermont not having achieved this in years past, it must still be our goal. Work with Vermont's congressional delegation and like-minded leaders of other states
to fight any cuts to Medicare or Medicaid. Support current legislation, S.53, relating to access to universal primary care in Vermont, that has passed out of the Vermont State Senate.
Source: 2018 VT governor Campaign website ChristineForVermont.com
Sep 1, 2018
David Zuckerman:
Medicaid expansion under ObamaCare; but no mandate
Q: Do you support a universally-accessible, publicly-administered health insurance option?Yes.
Q: Expand access to health care through commercial health insurance reform?
No.
Q: Do you support interstate health insurance compacts?
No.
Q:
Do you support Medicaid expansion under the Affordable Care Act?
Yes.
Q: Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
No.
Q: Do you support monetary limits on damages that can be collected in malpractice lawsuits?
Yes
Source: Vote Smart Vermont State 2014 Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2014
David Zuckerman:
Supports Medicare for All
Healthcare is a human right. Every Vermonter should have access to healthcare when they need it. Healthcare should not be tied to employment. No one should die or be forced into financial hardship or bankruptcy as a result of a health condition.
While a national single-payer healthcare system (Medicare For All) is the ideal way to cover all Americans, keep healthcare costs in check, and ensure access to preventative healthcare, there are also steps that we can take here in Vermont.
Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website ZuckermanForVT.com
Apr 3, 2020
David Zuckerman:
Stop seeing mental health as separate from physical health
We must stop seeing "mental health" as a separate category from physical health. Just as we view environmental conditions as having an impact on our physical health, we must look at some of the environmental conditions that are also impacting the
mental health of many. The stress of economic uncertainty is straining many families. Homelessness from economic strain is also compounding mental health issues. We must work to address these areas that are making the mental health crisis worse.
Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website ZuckermanForVT.com
Apr 3, 2020
Eddie Melton:
Signed state individual mandate; goes into effect in 2020
Vermont and New Jersey have passed state laws that require people to buy health insurance. These individual mandate laws are meant replace the now-repealed federal requirement. Scott signed an individual mandate bill in late
May, but it won't take effect until 2020 and many of the details, including the penalty and enforcement mechanisms, still need to be decided.
Source: The Hill coverage of 2020 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Jun 2, 2018
Eddie Melton:
Rejects increased Medicaid funding, should deal with costs
Scott is rejecting a push from state regulators to dramatically increase Medicaid funding, disputing their argument that the underfunding of the program is the reason for rising commercial insurance rates. The governor said that in recent years the
state has increased the rate that Medicaid pays providers, while the number of Vermonters in the program has decreased. "The root of the problem" is that the cost of health care is too high--not that the state's Medicaid program has been underfunded.
Source: VTdigger.org coverage of 2020 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Sep 12, 2019
Gerald Malloy:
No Universal Healthcare but improve Medicare, Medicaid, VA
Reduce healthcare costs, not Universal Healthcare but Initiatives to reduce price gouging and improve Medicare, Medicaid, and Veteran's Administration operations.
No more unconstitutional Federal actions or initiatives like Mask and Vaccine Mandates that have destroyed our Economy. Take a drive down almost any Main Street and see the shuttered businesses.
Source: 2022 Vermont Senate campaign website DeployMalloy.com
Aug 16, 2022
Howard Dean:
Universal access for all Vermonters; insure the last 6%
I propose that our achievement-the achievement of this biennium-is to design and implement a better system of health care in Vermont. We have one of the lowest numbers of uninsured citizens in the country.
But the fact that you are one of only 6% does not pay the doctor's bill. This biennium our goals for health care are finding ways to control costs, helping small businesses afford private coverage for their workers, and making government-guaranteed
insurance for children, seniors and working Vermonters sustainable.
This also means assuring access to health care for every Vermont citizen. We will never control costs without universal access.
Vermont deserves a health care system where small businesses are not bankrupted by trying to treat their employees responsibly, and Vermont deserves a system where all Vermonters have access to health insurance and to quality care.
Source: State of the State Address to 2001 Vermont General Assembly
Jan 4, 2001
Howard Dean:
Keep "community rating": insure older people at same rates
Let me talk for a moment about what will not work. Vermont has a system of community rating where all age groups are charged the same for their coverage, despite the fact that older people use more health care than younger people.
Some insurance companies left the state because they wanted to avoid insuring older people so they could make plenty of money by only covering low-risk Vermonters. Eliminating community rating will not make health insurance more affordable or accessible.
It will simply add on another cost shift, causing those employees over 50 and their employers to pay even more money so that costs can be reduced for those under 35. I don't believe Vermonters want this solution.
Our challenge is to find solutions that will work. I am appointing a special Governor's Commission on Health Care Availability and Affordability, to find ways we can achieve the dual goals of controlling costs and guaranteeing universal access.
Source: State of the State Address to 2001 Vermont General Assembly
Jan 4, 2001
John MacGovern:
Dislikes President Obama's health care act
On the issues, the two primary contestants tout similar conservative views. Both dislike President Obama's health care act, want a drastically smaller federal government,
oppose abortion in most cases and are critical of the use of American soldiers to conduct nation-building in Afghanistan, Iraq and elsewhere.
Source: Burlington Free Press, on 2012 Vermont Senate debate
Aug 27, 2012
Keith Stern:
Healthcare the community way through medical cost sharing
Healthcare reform must occur. Current system is rigged against the middle class, lining the pockets of the wealthy insurance companies. Now is the time for a new way...an affordable way to offer citizens healthcare. The community way is through medical
cost sharing.It removes over billing by insurance companies and is a free-market solution. With a claim system and a price adjudication system bills get reduced keeping costs down. Holding the feet of the provider to the fire to get a fair price.
Source: 2018 VT Gubernatorial campaign website VermontGetsStern.org
Sep 18, 2018
Lawrence Zupan:
End mandate; start interstate competition
Zupan said his strategy for health care would be to open up interstate competition for all health insurance companies in the nation. Under the current system, Vermonters only get to choose between Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont and
MVP Health Care. In addition, he wouldn't force Americans to purchase insurance, which he said is unconstitutional. "Anything that I have to be forced to buy could not be that good or I'd buy it on my own," Zupan said.
Source: True North Reports on 2018 Vermont Senate race
Aug 10, 2018
Matt Dunne:
State should provide universal access to health care
Dunne indicated support for the following principles regarding health issues.- Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms or state-funded care where necessary.
- Support patients' right to sue
their HMOs.
- Legalize physician-assisted suicide in Vermont.
- Dunne adds, "I support providing universal access to health care through the state self insuring or using the entire state as one buying pool."
Source: Vermont Congressional 2002 National Political Awareness Test
Nov 1, 2002
Phil Scott:
Affordable health care? Yes; single-payer? No
Lt. Governor Phil Scott believes Vermont should have affordable health care that covers everyone. Unfortunately, the current system does not achieve these goals. Costs are too high and the peace of mind of having insurance is not available to everyone.Advocates of single-payer health care, however, have not demonstrated how they will lower costs, guarantee coverage at all times for all medically necessary procedures, enhance
the quality of care while preserving access to the doctor and hospital of one's choice, and strengthen the economy. In Lt. Governor Scott's view, these are the criteria that any credible reform plan must meet.
Source: 2016 Vermont Gubernatorial campaign website PhilScott.org
Sep 9, 2015
Phil Scott:
Replace dysfunctional Vermont Health Connect with subsidies
Q: How do you think Green Mountain Care should be financed?Scott: The single-payer proposal under the Green Mountain Care plan was abandoned by the sitting governor in 2014. The models that experts were using indicated that the plan would require
an 11.5% payroll tax. I believe the decision to abandon this model was the correct one, and continuing down that road would have generated further uncertainty in Vermont's economy. However, we need to continue to work on proven models that increase
access and reduce costs. We need to move off the dysfunctional Vermont Health Connect, which costs millions each year. In 2006, when I was in the State Senate, I supported legislation which expanded access to health care by providing subsidies to
uninsured Vermonters to purchase insurance on a sliding scale basis. The act also cut costs through healthy lifestyle discounts to those who participated in programs that improved wellness. Within two years, Vermont's uninsured rate declined by 25%.
Source: LWV's Vote411.org on 2016 Vermont Gubernatorial Race
Sep 19, 2016
Phil Scott:
Must increase affordability of health insurance
Vermont has one of the lowest uninsured rates in the nation. But Vermonters still struggle with the high cost of insurance, especially those in our state marketplace.
That's why I'll propose health insurance reforms focused on increasing affordability for Vermonters and, specifically, young people, as we work to retain and attract more of them.
When actions in Washington put access to healthcare in jeopardy, Speaker Johnson, Senator Ashe, Republican party leaders from both houses and I stood with Senators Leahy and Sanders and Congressman Welch to protect Medicaid funding.
Where else but Vermont would you see such a politically-diverse group joining together to defend access to healthcare?
Source: 2020 Vermont State of the State address
Jan 9, 2020
Phil Scott:
Time to cap annual increases, prioritize prevention
We also need to contain healthcare costs in the long run. With that in mind, I believe it's time to set a cap on annual increases and continue moving to a system where we pay for quality, not just quantity--and do so in a way that prioritizes prevention
on the part of the patient as well as the provider. These are the goals of the All-Payer Model, which you might have heard about over the last three years.
Source: 2021 State of the State Address to the Vermont legislature
Jan 7, 2021
Phil Scott:
Increase mental health beds, expand suicide prevention
Our mental health system is facing serious stress and it is not uncommon for emergency departments to have many people in mental health crisis, as they await treatment. Which is why we will continue to increase the number of
mental health beds throughout the state. And I'll ask you to expand our mobile crisis pilot and suicide prevention model to make sure when our friends and family, neighbors and co-workers need us most, we have the tools to help.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Vermont legislature
Jan 5, 2022
Rebecca Holcombe:
Will confront out of control costs of healthcare, drugs
As your governor, I will confront out of control costs of healthcare and pharmaceuticals:
Strengthen coordination across state government to make sure critical services from mental health support, to child care, to public health services can be provided in more cost-effective and community-friendly ways.
Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website RebeccaHolcombe.com
Jan 23, 2020
Rebecca Holcombe:
If you can't afford health care, it's sick care
She says health care is a primary struggle. "What I hear is that they're feeling that things are getting worse. Their health insurance premiums have gone up by double digits.
If you can't afford health care, it's not health care, it's sick care. People literally can't take care of themselves," Holcombe said. "They need a governor who's going to lean into figuring out bringing down the prices."
Source: WCAX TV-3 on 2020 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Jan 20, 2020
Rebecca Holcombe:
Should not have to turn down jobs for healthcare eligibility
Vermont needs a governor who will push back on pharmaceutical and insurance companies and build our health care workforce. It needs a governor who will make sure less wealthy Vermonters don't have to turn down higher wage jobs or reduce their hours
to stay eligible for health care. As governor, I will take on the cost of health care, so that Vermonters are free to work, earn and care for their families.
Source: VtDigger commentary on 2020 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Nov 7, 2019
Rebecca Holcombe:
Confront out of control costs; coordinate state government
As your governor, I will:- Confront out of control costs of healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
- Strengthen coordination across state government to make sure critical services from mental health support, to
child care, to public health services can be provided in more cost-effective and community-friendly ways.
Source: 2020 Vermont governor campaign website RebeccaHolcombe.com
Mar 26, 2020
Rebecca Holcombe:
Scary anyone in public office would doubt value of vaccines
On the anti-vaxx movement: "In moments like this, we see just how critical it is that we support vaccines and make them as available as possible," said
Holcombe. "It's scary that anyone in public office or seeking public office would cast doubt about the value of vaccines. It's unbelievable this is even up for debate."
Source: Politico.com on 2020 Vermont gubernatorial race
Mar 21, 2020
Rebecca Holcombe:
Health is one sector that touches everything
The underlying cost of health care has gone up 6% in one year. Health insurance rates for qualified health plans have gone up double digits this year. People cannot afford this, particularly younger and working-age people. One-third of people in
Vermont that are of working age are under insured. Health is one sector that touches everything. If we want to make Vermont more affordable, we have to do the hard work to make sure healthcare is affordable and accessible.
Source: The Dartmouth on 2020 Vermont gubernatorial race
Sep 27, 2019
Rebecca Holcombe:
State's mental health system is underfunded
The state's mental health system is underfunded. Schools can only treat children but can't treat family. What we really need to do is help the families of the kids exposed to trauma. We can treat children, but if we send
them back to a family struggling, then the child will just be re-exposed to trauma. Instead of trying to treat people after they are hurt, we need to go to the source and find out what is hurting people in the first place.
Source: The Dartmouth on 2020 Vermont gubernatorial race
Sep 27, 2019
Scott Milne:
Promises of cost savings are likely a pipe dream
The administration missed its Jan. 1, 2013 deadline to reveal the financial plan for our state's health care system, and 19 months later we are no closer to knowing how or whether it will work. The state is hiring more consultants to fix the problem,
and there is no end in sight. Promises of cost savings are likely a pipe dream. Vermonters deserve better than to be used as guinea pigs for an experiment that is likely beyond our means.
Source: 2016 Vermont Senate campaign website ScottMilne.org
Aug 8, 2016
Sue Minter:
Focus on containing costs in Vermont Health Connect
Rising healthcare costs are burdening our budgets of our schools and families. We must ensure that Vermont Health Connect works, but we cannot stop there. I will focus on containing costs by enhancing primary and preventative care, improving the
integration of health care & social services, and supporting the transition to a more efficient healthcare delivery system. Payment reform should reward health outcomes rather than the current system that rewards more visits, procedures and prescriptions
Source: 2016 Vermont gubernatorial campaign website SueMinter.com
May 25, 2016
Gerald Malloy:
Prefers natural immunity route to COVID vaccine mandates
The debate offered the candidates the opportunity to ask one another questions directly. Welch's first question to Malloy: Why didn't you receive the COVID-19 vaccine? That's my "personal choice," the GOP nominee replied."I decided to go
with the natural immunity route, and I respect anyone's decision to be vaccinated. I don't think it was right to mandate vaccines, but if anyone wants to be vaccinated, that's an individual decision," Malloy said.
Source: Valley News on 2022 Vermont Senate race
Sep 10, 2022
Phil Scott:
Add more areas to mobile mental health response initiative
Last year, we piloted a mobile mental health response initiative in Rutland, which helps people when and where they are in crisis. This is making a real difference, so we will build on it with nearly $2 million more to serve four additional communities.
We will also strengthen our suicide prevention program by adding nearly $1 million in funding.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Vermont legislature
Feb 18, 2022
Phil Scott:
Not perfect but ACA measurably improved health of Vermonters
The ACA, while not perfect, measurably improved the health and well-being of Vermonters by expanding coverage, reducing the state's uninsured rates, enabling
Vermont to form health care provider networks that participate in shared savings programs, and fostering initiatives to reduce utilization and cost through its health care delivery reform provisions.
Source: Gubernatorial press release for 2022 Vermont governor race
Jun 23, 2017
Peter Duval:
Consider international and intergenerational vaccinations
I can schedule an appointment for coronavirus vaccination, and for the first time in my life I am feeling vaccine-reluctant. I am not hesitant from fear but reluctant from unfairness.International: Fair warning: Vermonters may feel remorse about
Vermont's embrace of the America-first vaccine strategy. It's less effective than global cooperation, something that will be needed for future pandemics and other global crises. There is now an opportunity to mitigate the risk of remorse about vaccine
nationalism by sending vaccine to someplace where there is none.
Intergenerational: Fair warning: Vermonters may feel remorse about Vermont's oldest-first vaccine strategy. Is it really guided by science? Any one of us would give our doses to ensure
that the youngest in our family could go forward in life & confidently travel, hike, run & swim. I could wait even longer to support sending vaccine to faraway places and people who need it. But if I just defer vaccination, it wouldn't accomplish much.
Source: VTDigger.com on 2024 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Apr 8, 2021
Esther Charlestin:
Expand access to mental health services in education system
Healthcare is a necessity to every person's life. I believe that increasing access to health care services is a core aspect of increasing equity and prosperity for all Vermonters. Specifically, one area of health care I hope to expand is access to
mental health services in our education system. Mental health care is healthcare, and we need to ensure that children have the same access to it in schools as they do the ability to go to seek physical medical attention when they are sick or injured.
Source: VTDigger.org on 2024 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Jul 22, 2024
Phil Scott:
Issued state order to ensure access to COVID-19 vaccine
us to protect ourselves and others, especially as we head into the fall season," said Scott. "This order is a necessary step to make sure those who want a vaccine can get one."
Vermont Gov. Phil Scott and the Department of Health have issued an order aimed at getting Vermonters easier access to the COVID-19 vaccine in light of recent federal changes to vaccine policy. "Getting vaccinated is the best way for
Source: NBC5, "COVID," on 2026 Vermont Gubernatorial race
Sep 18, 2025
Page last updated: Feb 07, 2026