Healthy Communities

Every Vermonter should be able to get the care they need without worrying that cost, distance, or a shortage of providers will stand in the way.

That starts with strong access to primary care, mental health care, and substance-use treatment. I support moving Vermont toward universal access to primary care because getting people care earlier is better for families, better for communities, and less expensive than waiting until a problem becomes a crisis.

But healthcare is only part of the picture.

We also need to do more to prevent problems before they start. That means supporting substance-use prevention, making sure young people have safe and meaningful places to belong, strengthening community connections, and helping local organizations respond to the needs they see every day.

In rural Vermont, access matters too. A service that technically exists but is an hour away, has a six-month waitlist, or is unaffordable isn’t really accessible.

People should be able to get the care and support they need to live healthy lives, close to home whenever possible.