A physician and the former chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Howard Dean served six terms as Governor of Vermont, during which time the state expanded its universal healthcare program for children and pregnant women, balanced its budget, and reduced income taxes. He led the Democratic National Committee from February 2005 to January 2009 and is widely credited with reviving the Democratic Party after the 2004 election. His new book argues that the key to health care reform is to offer citizens the option to participate in a public health insurance program.