The Vermont congressional delegation “today introduced legislation to let the state implement a single-payer health care system that could become a model for the nation,” according to a joint press release.

Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) introduced a Senate bill and Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.) filed legislation in the House that would let Vermont and other states provide better health care at less cost beginning in 2014.

Under the proposal, states “would be able to seek waivers from the U.S. Health and Human Services Department three years sooner than allowed under the new federal health care law.”

States could qualify for waivers only for plans that are at least as comprehensive and affordable as the federal model and cover at least as many people. States could not offer lower quality or less affordable coverage.

A fact sheet with more details on this plan is linked here.