Farmers, farm advocates and state lawmakers told a legislative hearing that rising health-insurance costs present an immediate threat to small and self-employed farm households and to farm labor stability across Vermont.

Missy Axelrod, a Roxbury farmer and educator, said recent rate changes to Vermont Health Connect will make coverage unaffordable for many small operators. ‘‘My monthly premium is projected to nearly triple. This drastic increase makes it impossible to afford coverage,’’ Axelrod said. She described the trade-off many independent workers face: ‘‘Do we pay for insurance that consumes a huge share of our income, or do we go without it and accept significant personal and financial risk?’’

NOFA and Rural Vermont witnesses reiterated the statewide implications. A NOFA speaker noted that nationally 27% of farmers rely on the ACA marketplace, well above the general population rate, and warned Vermont would see especially large premium increases when the ACA tax credits expire. Graham (Rural Vermont) and others urged the committee to explore programmatic solutions and to support outreach to farmworkers and migrant employees who already face barriers to care.

Witnesses also highlighted a funding threat to Bridges to Health, a program run out of UVM Extension that provides direct health services to more than 1,000 farmworkers across all 14 counties and help accessing food and basic needs. NOFA asked the committee to consider a state appropriation in the FY26 budget-adjustment act to give Bridges to Health a longer-term home and avoid service interruption.

Legislators noted the health-care advocate (Mike Fisher) would be available later in the day to address technical questions about subsidies and coverage by sector. Committee members asked whether Medicare advantage for older farmers or Medicaid changes would alter coverage patterns; witnesses said those are complex, shifting factors and recommended targeted outreach as well as policy solutions to stabilize coverage for independent operators.

Ending: The committee recorded requests for state support and additional information; no appropriation was taken during this hearing. Agency and advocacy staff said they would provide further data and options to inform potential budget action in January.