Bernie Sanders Holds Burlington Town Hall on Vermont’s Health Care Crisis and Community Support.Ng2

The event drew a diverse audience, including seniors, working families, medical staff, and representatives connected with UVM Medical Center. Many attendees shared firsthand experiences of delayed care, difficulty finding providers, and concerns about the long-term stability of Vermont’s health care system. The tone of the conversation was serious and engaged, reflecting the urgency many Vermonters feel as health care access becomes increasingly strained.

Senator Sanders opened the discussion by emphasizing that health care is not only a national policy issue debated in Washington, but a deeply local concern that affects daily life across Vermont. He noted that for seniors on fixed incomes, families balancing rising costs, and residents living far from major towns, access to affordable and reliable care is becoming more difficult.

“Health care is a human right,” Sanders told the audience, reiterating a long-standing position of his political career. “But it’s also something people experience locally — at their community clinics, their regional hospitals, and through the doctors and nurses who live and work here.”

A major focus of the town hall was the growing pressure facing Vermont’s hospitals. Health professionals in attendance described staffing shortages that have led to longer wait times and increased workloads for existing staff. Several speakers pointed to burnout among nurses and doctors, noting that recruitment and retention remain persistent challenges, especially in rural areas.

Representatives connected with UVM Medical Center spoke about the financial strain hospitals face as operating costs rise faster than reimbursement rates. They explained that hospitals are being asked to do more with fewer resources, while still meeting the needs of an aging population and a growing demand for specialized care.

Sanders acknowledged these concerns and stressed the importance of supporting the medical workforce. He spoke about the need for policies that address fair wages, manageable workloads, and mental health support for health care workers. Without strong support systems, he warned, Vermont risks losing experienced professionals at a time when they are needed most.

Another key issue raised during the discussion was affordability. Many attendees shared stories of high insurance premiums, unexpected medical bills, and prescription drug costs that strain household budgets. Rural residents described traveling long distances for care, often missing work or relying on others for transportation.

Sanders argued that these challenges demonstrate why health care policy must prioritize patients rather than profits. He emphasized protecting funding for community health clinics, which often serve as the first point of care for low-income residents and those living outside major population centers.

“Community clinics are lifelines,” Sanders said. “If we allow them to be underfunded or closed, the people who suffer most are those who already face barriers to care.”

The town hall format allowed Sanders to listen directly to questions and concerns from attendees. Rather than delivering a lengthy speech, he encouraged dialogue, responding to individual stories and explaining how local feedback informs his work in the U.S. Senate. Several participants expressed appreciation for the opportunity to speak face-to-face with their senator about issues that affect their families and communities.

Events like this, Sanders noted, are the reason he continues to hold in-person forums across Vermont. He said that while policy decisions are made at the federal level, they must be grounded in the realities people experience on the ground.

“I can’t represent Vermont properly if I’m not listening to Vermonters,” he said. “These conversations matter, and they help shape what I fight for in Washington.”

As the discussion concluded, there was a shared sense that Vermont’s health care challenges are complex but not insurmountable. Attendees emphasized the need for collaboration between lawmakers, health care institutions, workers, and communities to ensure that access to care remains a priority.

The Burlington town hall underscored a broader message: Vermont’s health care future depends not only on national policy debates, but on sustained attention to local needs, rural access, and the people who provide care every day. For those in attendance, the event served as both a warning and a reminder — that health care remains one of the most pressing and personal issues facing the state.

A serious and timely conversation, with implications far beyond the room where it took place.