New England best at providing healthcare South ranked the worst

The Commonwealth Fund State Scorecard ranks the states which provide the best healthcare to their residents.  The non-partisan study analyzes access, quality, costs and health outcomes and is a a follow up to the well respected 2007 report. The best state overall was Vermont. 

The Green Mountain state was cited for its model "Blue Print" program. Launched by Republican Gov. Jim Douglas, it covers everything from teaching children healthy eating to helping seniors stay in their homes rather than going to costly nursing homes.  For me this is proof positive that at least some Republicans actually have ideas to contribute to health reform - a pity that Republicans from the north east are shunned by the national party.

According to The Commonwealth Fund scorecard, the remaining New England States were ranked as follows, #5 NH & ME, #7 MA, #8 CT, and #11 RI. The south which is far more rural and poor scored the worst.  Rounding out the bottom was Mississippi, but not far behind were the following states: LA, AR, OK, TX, FL, and AL.