Senator Bernie Sanders Speaks on the Rising Cost of Healthcare in Vermont
TL/DR –
Senator Bernie Sanders, along with a group of state legislators, health care officials, and advocates, has raised concerns over the cost of health care in Vermont, calling it an “affordability crisis”. He highlighted the financial crisis of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont, which has lost $152 million over the past three years, and is seeking to increase health plan premiums. Sanders also identified areas for investment, such as expanding primary health care facilities and nursing education programs, increasing support for home health care and nursing homes, and reducing the cost of prescription drugs, which he believes could lead to lower health care costs in the long term.
Sen. Sanders Sounds Alarm over Vermont’s Health Care Affordability Crisis
Senator Bernie Sanders partnered with Vermont lawmakers, healthcare advocates, and officials to highlight the state’s healthcare affordability crisis. Sanders criticized the dysfunctional and costly nature of the national and Vermont healthcare systems.
This comes amid ongoing attempts by Congress to pass a mega spending bill that could impose work requirements for Medicaid recipients and limit state governments’ use of healthcare provider taxes for Medicaid funding.
Vermont’s largest health insurer, Blue Cross Blue Shield, is in financial jeopardy after losing $152 million over the past three years. The insurer has sought approval for significant premium increases for 2026 plans from the Green Mountain Care Board.
Sanders highlighted several potential solutions to lower healthcare costs, including expanding primary health care facilities and nursing education programs, supporting home health care and nursing homes, and reducing the cost of prescription drugs. He also stressed the need for a broader cultural shift from profit-oriented healthcare to healthcare as a human right.
Co-chair of Vermont Health Care 911, Lisa Ventriss, suggested that prioritizing patient care over administrative costs could lead to significant savings and curb premium rate hikes. State legislators are currently working on bills such as S.162 and H.482 to reduce healthcare costs.
However, progress at the state level could be undermined by potential federal changes to Medicaid. Particularly concerning is the threat to the 1115 waiver program, which allows states to cover services beyond federal requirements, with Vermont being a leader in using this waiver innovatively.
Sanders, along with Senate Democrats, is actively trying to defeat the proposed spending bill’s impact on Medicaid, calling it a “Robin Hood proposal in reverse”.
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