VPR: All Of Vermont's Top Lawmakers Speak Out Against GOP Health Care Bill

By TAYLOR DOBBS • 44 MINUTES AGO



Excerpt:

Vermont's top elected officials from across the political spectrum came together in Montpelier Monday morning to show their opposition to U.S. Senate Republicans' health care proposal.

Audio from this story will be posted.

At a news conference in Gov. Phil Scott's ceremonial office, Republicans and Democrats elected by Vermonters said they agree that existing health care system in the U.S. is flawed. Even though they disagree on how to fix it, the consensus Monday morning was that Republicans in the U.S. Senate are doing it wrong.

Sen. Bernie Sanders says the bill won't just hurt individuals and families.

“This legislation would threaten the very existence of rural hospitals in our state and throughout this country, many of whom are depending on Medicaid,” Sanders said. “This bill would do severe damage to federally qualified community health centers all over the state.”

Sanders, who has long been an advocate of federal funding for community health centers, also pointed out that about 25 percent of all Vermonters receive primary care at a federally qualified community health center. Sanders said Monday morning what he has said for years: He believes the best solution is a “Single-Payer” plan in which the government pays for health care for everyone.

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