Issue Position: Health Care

I believe that health care is a basic human right. Without good health, Vermonters are limited in their pursuit of all other goals. Families, schools, businesses, and state budgets are struggling under the weight of rising healthcare costs, and our current system of health insurance risks becoming a disincentive for Vermonters to explore self employment and entrepreneurship.
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Knowing that prevention is the cornerstone of sound healthcare policy, we need to work to provide primary care
for every Vermonter. We must also continue to collaborate with federally qualified health centers (FQHC) to
improve access. With a focus on these fundamentals, we will be better positioned to address and curb the use of costly emergency rooms services and meet the needs of those with chronic conditions. We must also continue reforming our system of payment and incentivize health outcomes in a way that seeks to decrease visits, prescriptions and procedures.
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Finally, health care reform must take into account how health care services are grappling with a wide range of
other determining factors that impact health and thus requires an integrated approach with social services. This includes homelessness, mental health challenges, substance abuse, domestic violence and more.

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