On debate eve, candidates argue over health

MONTPELIER — As they gear up for their first debate of the campaign, Gov. Peter Shumlin and Republican challenger Randy Brock are squabbling over health care.
Brock is taking issue with Shumlin’s description of Brock’s plan to curtail community rating — a law that requires health insurance companies to charge people the same premiums for the same coverage regardless of age or gender.
Brock says Shumlin is exaggerating the degree to which the Republican would dismantle community rating. A Shumlin aide says Brock would allow insurance companies to charge three times as much for older customers than for younger, healthier ones.
The two are slated to hash out those and other issues in a Vermont Public Radio debate set for Wednesday at 7 p.m.