Hats off to Vermont.
The legislature there just passed universal health care, and the governor is expected to sign it into law within the next two weeks.
It's called Green Mountain Care, and, according to a press release from the Healthcare Is a Human Right Campaign, it will "provide comprehensive, high-quality coverage for all Vermont residents as a public good, regardless of income, health status, or employment,"
And regardless of immigration status.
Some legislators tried to pass an amendment that would have excluded undocumented people from being able to benefit from universal health care in Vermont, but mobilization from activists was decisive in defeating this amendment, even amidst the anti-immigrant sentiment that prevails in this country.
So that's a double victory for the people of Vermont.
Credit goes to the excellent job that organizers did there.
Here's how James Haslam, director of the Vermont Workers' Center, puts it: "Our success shows that when people come together, make their voices heard, and demand their rights, we can overcome well-funded special interests and change what's politically possible."
I like that: changing what's politically possible.
That's what we need to do around the country.
To see a video of the Vermont health care triumph, log in here to Blip tv.
If you liked this story by Matthew Rothschild, the editor of The Progressive magazine, check out his story "Labor Denounces Walker's and Kasich's "Recognition" of State Employees."
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