Vermont Governor Announces He Will Not Seek Another Term
Vermont Gov. Howard Dean (D), who has been active in a number of health care-related issues, announced on Sept. 5 that he will not seek re-election next year, the Burlington Free Press reports. Dean, an internal medicine physician who has been in office since 1991, "has forged a legacy of expanded health care services for Vermonters," the Free Press reports (Zolper, Burlington Free Press, 9/6). Among his "achievements" is "guaranteeing health care for Vermont's children," the Rutland Herald reports (Schmaler, Rutland Herald, 9/6). Under the "most extensive child health insurance program in the nation," which Dean "push[ed] through," 94% of Vermont children are covered by health insurance. In addition, 92% of adults in Vermont are covered by a state insurance plan that Dean "helped create" (Butterfield, New York Times, 9/6). Dean has also worked with the governors of Maine and New Hampshire to form a prescription drug purchasing pool that could offer discounted medicines to state residents (Kaiser Daily Health Policy Report, 5/25). In the speech announcing his retirement, Dean said that before he leaves office in early 2003, he "intend[s] to take [a] pass at universal health care. I know it won't be the deluxe model, but I do think that needs to be on the table" ( AP/Rutland Herald, 9/6). A Boston Globe editorial states that Dean's decision not to run for re-election "may be the first step in a try for the presidency," which "would make perfect sense if it becomes clear before 2004 that access to health care and its cost are prime concerns of voters" (Boston Globe, 9/6). For further information on state health policy in Vermont, visit State Health Facts Online.
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