The White House hosted its second regional health care summit in Burlington, Vermont on Tuesday amid a show of bipartisanship. Hosts included both Republican Gov. Jim Douglas of  Vermont  and Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. Both these states—Massachusetts more dramatically— have pioneered efforts to expand and improve coverage.  (Visit our State of State Health website for state-level health information.)  And both states have accomplished their reforms with buy-in from Republicans and Democrats.

The Boston Globe reported:

The free-flowing and often passionate conversation, which lasted two hours, was far more detailed and lively than the relatively formal one held at the White House earlier this month. The doctors, patients, business people, and government officials repeatedly emphasized similar themes: the need to prevent and manage chronic disease better, attract more primary care doctors, simplify bureaucracy, and find a way to get everyone access to treatment at an affordable price.

Douglas, the Republican, was optimistic: "I believe by working together we can accomplish a goal that's. . .an economic and fiscal imperative for the future of our country."

President Obama was represtened by Nancy-Ann DeParle, head of the new health reform office in the White House. She underscored the constructive role the governors have played in their states, despite their different political philosophies. And while she was touting the need for health reform in the Northeast, she also made sure her message got to the Southwest. In an op-ed Wednesday in the Arizona Star (free registration required), she said, "Some have suggested that we put off fixing the system because times are tough; that we can't afford to tackle health care until we fix the economy. The reality is that if we want to fix the economy, we can't afford not to tackle health care."

You can also listen to NPR's report on the summit here.