Biography
I am originally from the Washington, D.C. area and moved to Vermont nearly 13 years ago. I have a masters degree in Social Work from Catholic University and was employed as a probation officer in Washington, D.C. for several years. I later attended medical school and residency at George Washington University and have now been a full-time physician for thirty years, working in both primary care and hospital-based medicine.
I also have a background in collegiate athletics and recently helped coach the South Burlington High School’s wrestling team.
Candidate occupation
Physician
Why are you running for office?
I am concerned about Vermont. The high cost of living is crushing, and Vermonters are frustrated and angry. While not as extreme as some states, there is an increasing disconnect between the legislature and the most pressing needs of many communities.
I am especially unhappy with our health care system – as are many patients and health care providers. We have allowed much of our health care in Vermont to be taken over by the University of Vermont Health Network, which in turn has led to higher costs and longer wait times. After eight years of the expensive failure called OneCare, some in our legislature want to sign us up for ten more years of a very similar federally-based plan.
We can do better than this – but we will need candidates with new ideas and different backgrounds. If elected, I would be the first physician in 45 years to serve in the Vermont Senate – and it is definitely time!
Issues in brief
Do you believe Vermonters are better off now than they were 10 years ago?
No
Do you believe Vermont needs a new education funding formula?
Yes
Do you support imposing new taxes on the wealthiest Vermonters?
Yes
Do you support the establishment of overdose prevention centers?
Yes
Do you support a ban on flavored tobacco products?
Yes
Do you support increasing penalties for property crimes such as shoplifting?
Yes
Do you believe Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election?
Yes
Issues in depth
What would you do to help grow Vermont’s economy?
1) Reformat our health care system. Provide support our smaller towns and cities. Focus on affordable housing and industries suited to Vermont’s workforce.
What changes, if any, would you make to the way Vermont funds its schools?
I would advocate relying less on property taxes and more on income tax. Some of the school services – such as mental health counseling – should be funded by state money outside of the education fund.
Is Vermont doing enough, too much or not enough to address climate change? Please explain.
Vermont contributes a minuscule amount of the total U.S. carbon emissions. Therefore we shouldn’t penalize Vermonters with lots of new environmental regulations when many are desperately trying to make ends meet.
Is Vermont doing enough, too much or not enough to regulate gun ownership? Please explain.
Vermont has a reputation as a “gun state,” yet we don’t have a lot of firearms crime. But we do have a terrible problem with gun-related suicides. Let’s focus on that.
What would you do to help ease Vermont’s housing crisis?
Pre-fabricated housing, tax credits for developers who build truly affordable housing, and more development outside of Chittenden County.
How would you address rising homelessness in Vermont?
Vermont actually has one of the lowest number of unhoused people in the United States. That being said, we still have a need for more transitional housing and on-site social services.
What would you do to increase access to health care services for Vermonters?
Decrease the monopoly which the University of Vermont Health System currently has built, and increase support for independent hospitals and providers. Consider expanding Medicaid to make it a true public option for all.
Financial disclosure
Candidates for state and legislative offices are required to submit a financial disclosure when filing to run. These disclosures include each source, but not the amount, of personal income of each candidate, and of their spouse or domestic partner, that singly or jointly totals more than $5,000 for the previous 12 months. The information provided is an opportunity for voters to learn about candidates’ potential conflicts of interest.
You can find Meyers’s financial disclosure here.
Disclaimer
We emailed a questionnaire to every candidate with a valid email address. The responses provided by candidates are in their own words. VTDigger has not edited or fact-checked information provided.
If this is your candidacy and you’d like to fill out the questionnaire or report an error, please contact us at voterguide@vtdigger.org.
