On Thursday, the Vermont House of Representatives passed a single payer bill by a whopping 92-49 vote. From the Brattleboro Reformer in Brattleboro, Vt:

The legislation proposes to develop a unified health system where all Vermonters are eligible for benefits under a universal coverage program called Green Mountain Care. Democratic leaders are optimistic the single-payer plan will contain the skyrocketing costs of health care and put the state on a more sustainable fiscal path.

“I think that we all know, and there was universal agreement on the House floor, that the current system will bankrupt us. Costs of health care in Vermont are going up $1 million a day. They are $2 billion more than they were 10 years ago. We have a problem, we need to solve it,” said House Speaker Shap Smith, D-Morrisville. “This is just the first step in the process. This will be a long road ahead, and we have much work left to do. But we have taken a bold step forward today.”

Vermont is stepping up. It’s California’s turn. We’ve passed single payer before, and we can do it again. Now Californians need to put the pressure back onto our lawmakers, get SB 810 passed in the state Senate and Assembly, and onto Gov. Jerry Brown’s desk. Find your Senator and Assemblymember by clicking here, and write or call them today!

Sylvia@californiaonecare.org