FreedomWorks Vermont Urges Sanders to Support “Health Care Choice Act”

Vermonters could enjoy as much as a 60% reduction in health insurance premiums if Congress passes the “Health care Choice Act,” now awaiting floor action in the House. Today, an average Vermont family of four must pay $771 for a policy with a $2,000 deductible, 20% co-insurance. However, if allowed to purchase insurance outside Vermont, that same family could buy the same policy for as little as $172 per month out of Kansas City, Missouri.

The “Health Care Choice Act,” which passed out of committee on July 21, is designed to let Vermonters and all Americans do just that. As we continue to struggle with the problem of ever-rising health insurance costs, full passage of the “Health Care Choice Act” could open the door for a much needed solution — a solution that could yield immediate and dramatic results.

The “Health Care Choice Act”– H.R. 2355 — is sponsored by Chairman John Shadegg (R-Ariz.), has 68 House co-sponsors, and is supported by Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.). Senator Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) sponsors a companion bill, S.1015, in the Senate. Unfortunately, big insurance interests that dominate the market in most states are lobbying fiercely against this bill.

Congressman Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has been, in words from his own web page, “leading the fight in Congress for years to lower the cost of prescription drugs. Congressman Sanders was the first member of Congress to bring constituents across the Canadian border to save substantial sums on prescription drugs.” FreedomWorks now urges Sanders to apply his efforts and principles to this fight to buy cheaper insurance across state lines. His success will save Vermonters substantial sums on their health insurance, and will help lower the number of uninsured both here in Vermont and around the nation. As Congressman Sanders has never shied away from a fight with corporate special interests, we expect that he will not shy away from this fight now.

The “Health Care Choice Act” is expected to come up for a full vote by the House sometime in September.

Related Content