Local residents testify about impact of healthcare crisis
Where: Old Labor Hall, 46 Granite Street, Barre, Vermont
When: 7:00 PM, Thursday, January 29, 2009
What: For months, volunteers for the Vermont Workers’ Center have been surveying Vermonters from all across the state about their experiences with the healthcare system. The results have been clear: Vermonters believe that healthcare should be a human right, and many are suffering because of lack of access to affordable, quality healthcare. The crisis continues to worsen as the state’s budget problems have led to painful cuts to State health programs, exacerbating the crisis for thousands of Vermont families.
On Thursday, January 29, this conversation comes to Barre as part of the “Healthcare is a Human Right” campaign, which is coordinated by the Workers’ Center, to build a movement that can help reform the State’s healthcare system so it will guarantee care to all Vermonters regardless of income. The testimony about the impact the lack of access to healthcare has had on the lives of area families will be heard by a community listening panel comprised of faith leaders, health professionals and other community leaders.
Background: After conducting over 1,200 surveys and holding hearings in Brattleboro, Burlington, St. Albans and Lyndonville, on Human Rights Day, December 10, 2008, the Vermont Workers’ Center issued a report “Voices of the Vermont Healthcare Crisis: Healthcare Is A Human Right.” The report and accompanying video can be downloaded online.
Download print report (1.82 MB PDF file)
Watch 7-minute video: http://blip.tv/file/157451