Vermont Trio Unveils Single-Payer Legislation

Sens. Bernie Sanders (I) and Patrick Leahy (D) introduced legislation on Tuesday aimed at granting states the ability to seek waivers from the U.S. Health and Human Services Department three years earlier than possible under the new federal healthcare law.

According to Sanders’ office, his state could save $2.1 billion by 2025 if the waivers are obtained.

Leahy told reporters in Vermont last week, “This is a bill to give Vermont and other states the choice to go above and beyond the national standard by letting states devise their own reforms.”

Vermont Rep. Peter Welch (D), who has a companion bill in the House, added, “Providing Vermont and other states the flexibility they need to innovate will strengthen health care throughout the nation.”

Said Sanders, “It is my strong hope that Vermont will lead the nation in a new direction through a Medicare-for-all single-payer approach.”