Doctors Say It Would Save Money, Provide Better Treatment
MONTPELIER, Vt. — Hundreds of health advocates and lawmakers rallied for a single payer health system inside Vermont’s Statehouse Saturday afternoon. The sweep of support comes two days after Vermont’s House of Representatives approved a bill for a single payer system.
There was little room to move as medical students and Vermont lawmakers packed the conference room. Many stood up one by one to make their appeals for single payer, which they say will better serve patients.
"A single payer system is the kind of system that really gives you the freedom to not only choose who you’re health care provider is, but freedom for a healthcare provider to provide the treatment that best fits," Dr. Elizabeth Samuels, who is studying at Tufts University said.
"The are saying in order to do our profession right we have to provide health care to every man, woman, and child and they must do it in a cost effective way," U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders said.
Physicians say single payer healthcare will cut spending because patients can be seen more frequently and faster, which will prevent a more time-consuming and costly treatment.
Ultimately, those rallying hope to see the same sweep of approval for single payer healthcare by Vermont state senators.