Governor Peter Shumlin provides his take on the key bills and issues facing the state as the legislature enters its final weeks.

As the Vermont Senate prepares this coming week to debate major health care legislation, a fight may be emerging over what conditions must be met before the state moves to a single-payer plan.

As the Governor's health care bill moves through the Senate, new questions are being raised about the future availability of private health insurance policies in the state. The debate centers around the role of newly created health care exchanges that go into effect in 2014.

The Shumlin administration unveiled its health care reform package this week, which it calls a road map to a single-payer system in Vermont.

Vermont's business community is split over the health care legislation at the Statehouse that would put the state on the path to a single payer health care system.

After a full day and evening of debate, the Vermont House gave preliminary approval to health care reform legislation that's designed to put the state on the path toward a single payer system. The vote on the measure was 89 to 47.

Supporters of a plan to have the state of Vermont establish a single-payer health care system are headed to Montpelier for a rally. Medical school students, nurses and other health professionals from New England and beyond plan to press their cause at the Statehouse on Saturday. 

VPR's Mitch Wertlieb speaks with Representative Mike Fisher, who's also the Vice Chairman of the Health Care Committee, about single-payer health care and a recent physicians survey.

Mount Ascutney Hospital in Windsor laid off 24 full- and part-time employees last week. Officials at the small facility say the cuts are due to rising costs and declining reimbursements - a problem shared by hospitals throughout the state.

Vermont doctors, nurses and other health professionals rallied at the Statehouse Wednesday to speak out about budget cuts and provider tax increases they say will put patient care in jeopardy.

Visit Milton Elementary School where teachers use proverbs to teach 4th graders values. And in a time when health care is unaffordable, learn how providers can accept minimal fees and even barter services. Wisdom and Proverbs and Bartering for Family Health Care

A Dartmouth College institute and Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center have joined a first-of-its-kind collaboration with other leading hospitals around the country. The goal is to improve the quality of health care while reducing costs.

A new "affiliation" agreement is in the works between two of Vermont's hospitals. The board of Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington approved the proposal on Tuesday. Central Vermont Medical Center's board did the same last week.

About a third of Vermontvoters appear to support a single-payer health care system, similar to Medicare.

Senator Bernie Sanders wants you to go to the doctor. Sanders appeared at the Community Health Center in Burlington to promote a free clinic that organizers hope will see 100 patients on Sunday.

Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said Saturday that Vermont Medicaid payments will increase by $250 million for six years in the health reform plan under consideration by the U.S. Senate.

Congressman Peter Welch is advocating for a bill that would permit people as old as 27 to remain on their parents' health insurance plan.

Senator Patrick Leahy speaks with VPR's Bob Kinzel about the role anti-trust laws play in the health care debate.

Vermont's lone representative in the U.S. House is planning to host two public meetings on health care reform on the next two Saturdays.

VPR's Jane Lindholm talks with Dr. Cy Jordan and Helen Riehle from the Vermont Program for Quality in Health Care, who put out an annual report on medical care in the state.

Brian Dubie discusses his decision to run for governor. And, we talk with the authors of an annual report that looks at the overall quality of medical care in the state.

Cambridge physician Dr. Deb Richter and former Human Services Secretary Con Hogan talk about their new book, "Gridlock: The Unhealthy Politics of Health Care in Vermont." Also, former Governor Howard Dean says Democrats shouldn't compromise on a public option; he talks with Bob Kinzel about national health care proposals.

Canadians have been watching the debate in this country over health care legislation being considered by Congress. 

Former Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean is arguing that there can be no meaningful overhaul of the health care system without a public option for coverage.

Senator Bernie Sanders faced tough questions this weekend during two town meetings on health care reform.   Lawmakers have been holding similar town meetings across the country and many have turned into shouting matches with angry protestors.   VPR's Nina Keck attended Sanders' first meeting in Rutland and filed this report.