Vermont’s Journey
Lessons Learned from the Green Mountain State.
Watch the recording from this week’s webinar, with Dr. Deb Richter from Vermont Health Care for All.
https://youtu.be/-4GAdE-XZQ8
About the discussion:
Oregon is on track to be the fist state to transition to universal health care, but we are far from the first or only state to make this attempt. Between 2011 and 2014, Vermont made an amazing attempt, but ultimately did not succeed. In Oregon, we must consider the lessons learned from this attempt!
Vermont's major attempt to implement a single-payer universal health care system, known as Green Mountain Care, took place between 2011 and 2014. Signed into law in 2011 by Governor Peter Shumlin, the plan aimed to provide universal coverage but was abandoned in December 2014 due to financing challenges and the potential for severe economic disruption.
As Dr. Deb and the Vermonters fight back and are working once again on solutions that will move the Green Mountain State FORWARD!
Dr. Deborah Richter, an addiction medicine specialist and family physician , has dedicated her career to improving healthcare in Vermont and beyond. With over 30 years of experience in primary care, she has served diverse communities, from the inner city of Buffalo to rural Vermont.
As a former president of Physicians for a National Health Program, Dr. Richter is a passionate advocate for a universal, publicly funded health care system. She has delivered numerous engaging speeches to various audiences, including community and church groups, Rotary Clubs, business organizations, and medical professionals, educating them about the benefits and necessity of comprehensive publicly funded healthcare reform.
Currently, Dr. Richter chairs Vermont Health Care for All, an organization committed to raising awareness about the advantages of universal health care systems. Dr. Richter has co-authored two books with the late former Health and Human Services Secretary Cornelius Hogan and journalist Terry Doran. Their most recent work, "Gridlock: The Unhealthy Politics of Health Care in Vermont," and their 2005 publication, "At the Crossroads: The Future of Health Care in Vermont," provide valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities within the healthcare system. In recognition of her numerous contributions, Dr. Richter was featured in a New York Times article in May 2011 and was honored as one of the "Fifteen Extraordinary People Transforming the Way We Live" by Yes Magazine.
