Anoa Horton, executive director of Hunger Free Vermont, told the House Committee on Health Care that Bridges to Health — a community health outreach and care coordination program serving migrant and immigrant workers — needs $167,700 in the FY26 Budget Adjustment Act to complete a planned transition in fiscal sponsorship.

Horton said Bridges to Health serves more than 1,000 people a year through eight regionally based community health workers who connect clients to health care, transportation and food resources. She warned that without the requested one-time transition funding the program could lose critical services and push more people to already overstretched emergency departments.

Testimony described specific transition costs: IT setup and security to preserve health records on a new secure server, telecom services, insurance, office and storage space, and six weeks of operating funds to bridge the gap between UVM Extension support (through June) and expected FY27 arrangements. Horton said UVM Extension had provided bridge funding through June after a prior legislative appropriation was vetoed last year.

Amy Schallberger confirmed that an appropriation included in H.91 was vetoed last year and that UVM (Extension) provided interim funding. Committee members discussed next procedural steps: Bridges to Health will pursue a FY27 request and supporters plan to testify before Appropriations; committee members said they would consider sending a letter of support to Appropriations.

No appropriation decision was made in this hearing; the request will be considered in the Appropriations process.