Gubernatorial challenger and House Speaker Gaye Symington (D-Jericho) unveiled her new healthcare plan on Monday. The plan aims to create a more streamlined system that focuses on preventative measures and universal medical treatment. 

"Our healthcare system is too expensive and too complicated," Symington said in a statement on Monday.  "It's hurting our economy and our families"

Symington went on to outline her plan, emphasizing the need for prevention and how to maximize efficiency. She listed reimbursing physicians for their work, providing low-cost cancer and other health screenings, removing incentives for undergoing "unnecessary" tests and procedures, and requiring doctors to inform patients of procedures they intend to perform, and the costs, through a common claim form.  

The House Speaker added that the federal government would be an influential factor in the success of her program.

"Without a better partnership with the federal government we cannot fully simplify and standardize care and payment among both public and private health care plans," Symington said. "If, as I hope, (U.S. Sen.) Barack Obama is our next president, I will actively partner with his administration so Vermont can continue to lead the way in developing a sensible, affordable, quality heath care system for everyone."