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Scudder Parker On The Issues |
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Health Care |
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It says a lot about the people of Vermont that in facing our state's health care crisis we have considered all kinds of ideas. Catamount is definitely a hard-won step in the right direction, but it doesn't go far enough. Total spending on health care in the state is estimated to reach $3.7 billion this year, more than 60% higher than it was when Jim Douglas first took office. That's more than $7500/year for every man, woman and child. Over 61,000 Vermonters (almost 10%) go without health insurance.
Health care is a substantial contributor to the rising cost of living for Vermonters. We have an opportunity to create a real solution to the affordable health care crisis, but to do this Vermont needs a health care system that: is not tied to income or employment; removes this burden from businesses; and lets patients retain their own doctors.
My plan moves Vermont over time to be fully self-insured as a state. By forming a single-risk pool that includes all Vermonters, we will realize significant cost savings from more efficient use of the resources that already exist within the current system. Changes to the health care system impact everyone, so my first step will be to call people together - doctors, hospitals, consumers, businesses-- to determine what they need to transition to a better system of care. We will then develop an initial coverage plan for primary care and then for hospital care. Management of this system will eventually be contracted out to a public oriented entity (not a new governmental agency).
We all want to be able to protect our family's health. By addressing the costs of health care, we can move on to other issues: improving the quality of preventive health programs; supporting professionals and institutions; and making new technologies and therapies available in all parts of the state.
The bottom line is that we can and must make health care more affordable for all Vermonters. My pledge to the voters of this state is that I won't sign any legislation that means an increase in the cost of health care for Vermonters. Together, we can find the way to make it cost less.
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Investing in vermont - A Vision For An Affordable Health Care System For All Vermonters |
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Policy Statement, October 26, 2006. |
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View the PDF of Scudder's latest policy statement about health care. |
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Agriculture |
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Economic Development |
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Education |
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End of Life Issues |
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Energy |
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The Environment |
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Health Care |
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Housing |
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Property Taxes |
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War in Iraq |
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Women's Health Care |
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