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Bill insuring income-eligible adult migrant workers & others could be reintroduced next year
Vermont’s Senate Bill S.52 has sparked intense debate over its proposal to provide taxpayer-funded healthcare to foreign nationals residing in the state. Sponsored by Senators Ruth Hardy (D-Addison), Alison Clarkson (D-Windsor), Tanya Vyhovsky (P-Chittenden Central), Virginia Lyons (D-Chittenden Southeast), Martine Gulick (D-Chittenden Central), and Kesha Ram Hinsdale (D-Chittenden Southeast), the bill seeks to expand state-funded healthcare to income-eligible foreign nationals, regardless of immigration or criminal status.
The bill was introduced into the Senate in January but did not proceed to committee discussion and did not pass. It is not known – yet – if Hardy or the co-sponsors listed above intend to introduce the bill into the 2025 Legislature. Hardy has been emailed for comment. Current law provides Dr. Dynasaur coverage for all children regardless of immigration status. S.52 would expand coverage to all income-eligible Vermont residents, regardless of immigration status, adults and children alike.
While proponents emphasize the humanitarian aspects of the bill, critics argue it places an unsustainable financial burden on Vermont taxpayers while raising serious public safety and fairness concerns.
What S.52 Proposes
S.52 extends state-funded healthcare benefits—including medical, dental, and prescription drug coverage—to any foreign national, legal or illegal, residing in Vermont, as long as they meet income eligibility requirements. Unlike federal programs, the bill includes:
- No Work Requirement: Eligibility does not depend on whether the individual is employed or contributing to Vermont’s economy.
- No Residency Duration Requirement: A foreign national could qualify simply by being physically present in Vermont, even for a short period.
- No Criminal Background Checks: The bill prohibits Vermont state agencies from sharing enrollee information with federal authorities, meaning individuals with criminal records, including drug cartel members or those on terrorist watch lists, could qualify without federal oversight.
This broad scope means that S.52 is not limited to undocumented farm workers, a group often used to justify such proposals. Instead, the bill opens healthcare benefits to any foreign national, regardless of their legal or criminal status.
The Burden on Taxpayers
Critics of S.52 argue that Vermont taxpayers—already facing some of the highest tax burdens in the country—should not be forced to subsidize healthcare for foreign nationals, particularly those who entered the country illegally or have criminal histories.
“This isn’t just about providing healthcare to hardworking farm workers,” said one critic. “This bill covers anyone, from unemployed foreign nationals to individuals with criminal records. Vermont taxpayers are being asked to pay for a system that has no safeguards or accountability.”
The financial implications are significant. With no restrictions on residency duration or employment, Vermont could become a magnet for foreign nationals seeking state-funded benefits, further increasing the strain on taxpayers.
A Failure to Address Federal Problems
Proponents of S.52 argue that it fills a gap left by the federal government, particularly in industries like dairy farming that rely on migrant labor. However, critics point out that this gap exists because of flaws in the H-2A visa program, the federal system designed to provide legal pathways for agricultural laborers.
The H-2A visa program excludes year-round work, making it unsuitable for Vermont’s dairy industry. However, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), despite 33 years in Congress, has not taken significant action to address these shortcomings. While Sanders has consistently advocated for immigrant protections, he has not focused on fixing the specific issues that directly impact Vermont’s economy.
By contrast, Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the H-2A Improvement Act (H.R. 1720) in 2011 to expand the program to year-round industries like dairy farming. However, the bill failed to advance, likely because it included provisions for broader immigration reform, including a pathway to citizenship, instead of focusing on the immediate problem.
“Peter Welch aimed too high with his proposal, and Bernie Sanders has done nothing at all,” said one observer. “Meanwhile, Vermont taxpayers are left paying for the federal government’s failure to fix the system.”
A Broader, Troubling Scope
S.52’s broad eligibility criteria raise concerns beyond financial strain. Critics warn that by covering any foreign national, legal or illegal, regardless of criminal status, the bill inadvertently shields individuals who may pose public safety risks. Vermont’s prohibition on sharing enrollee information with federal authorities could protect those involved in criminal activities or who are otherwise flagged for deportation. Adding to this, Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark recently stated in an interview with Vermont Digger that she plans to actively oppose federal immigration deportation efforts, further highlighting the state’s stance against federal enforcement.
“This isn’t about compassion; it’s about enabling a broken system,” said another critic. “We’re talking about giving healthcare benefits to individuals who may have no ties to Vermont, haven’t contributed to the state, and could even be dangerous.”
A Simple Federal Fix
Many argue that S.52 would be unnecessary if Congress addressed the flaws in the H-2A visa program. A simple federal fix could:
- Expand the H-2A program to include year-round agricultural work.
- Simplify the application process to reduce bureaucracy for employers.
- Ensure legal pathways for migrant workers, eliminating the need for undocumented labor.
Such reforms would directly address Vermont’s labor needs while protecting taxpayers and ensuring that foreign nationals are properly vetted.
“Instead of creating a state program with no limits or accountability, why aren’t our federal representatives solving the actual problem?” one critic asked. “Fixing the H-2A program would help farmers, protect taxpayers, and remove the need for this kind of overreaching bill.”
Conclusion
S.52 reveals the unintended consequences of Vermont’s attempt to address federal inaction. By extending taxpayer-funded healthcare to any foreign national, legal or illegal, regardless of criminal status, the bill goes far beyond helping farm workers and raises serious concerns about fairness, fiscal responsibility, and public safety.
Until lawmakers like Sanders and Welch prioritize targeted solutions to fix the H-2A visa program, Vermont taxpayers will continue to bear the burden of federal failures, with state-level proposals like S.52 leaving more questions than answers.
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Categories: News Analysis
How much more do the folks in Montpelier that are “supposed” to represent US think we can pay to/for ILLEGALS? We cannot keep paying for your convoluted thinking. Please try thinking about those of us who are here legally and actually pay taxes here; for now anyway.
“Many argue that S.52 would be unnecessary if Congress addressed the flaws in the H-2A visa program.” S.52 = No Work Requirement. No Residency Duration Requirement. No Criminal Background Checks. And no “sharing enrollee information with federal authorities, meaning individuals with criminal records, including drug cartel members or those on terrorist watch lists”.
*I* would argue that S.52 would be unnecessary if we deported all the aliens who have entered this country illegally.
I don’t think any rational person would argue that we don’t need to take care of our own. We most certainly do. But, as with the country as a whole, we need to clean up our own back yard (help our *own* citizens) before committing hundreds of millions to people who shouldn’t be here in the first place.
Don’t you think we should deal with the problems we already have, such as out-of-staters coming here to deal drugs? And the associated crime from that? Theft? Assault? Murder? Yeah, that’ll surely get better if we become a magnet for drug cartels and terrorists.
Frankly, I’m surprised I don’t see any mention (yet) of TdA or MS-13 being in places like Burlington, Rutland, Barre, Bennington, Springfield, & St Johnsbury, to name a few. I don’t know about you, but I suspect those fine individuals already here. Problems like this always stay under the radar for many months before they break out into the open.
And, of course, I wonder what the “estimates” are of how much S.52 would raise our taxes further? Whatever that number is, double or triple it and you’ll have the actual number.
The federal government alone has jurisdiction, via the US Constitution, over a number of facets of governance – first and foremost being immigration. The states have zero right or authority to harbor or otherwise provide sanctuary of any type for/to illegal immigrants. By illegally enacting this bill & providing “health insurance”, it would presumably make t that much easier, especially in a small state such as Vermont, to track down these intruders and deport them. There will be nothing Vermont can do except engage a few temper tantrums along the way to potentially drag out inevitable.
Oh great, just what we need, more taxes. @Robin, nice summation.
I wish only the the people that voted for this crap had to fund it. My health insurance sucks, high deductible, high premium, but free if your an illegal, sounds about right. Anyone guess why taxes are so high, thus is where some of its going, thanks Montpelier!
@Josh – I have the greatest health insurance ever. I’m granted the privilege of paying nearly $700 per month for a plan with a $5k deductible for my wife and me. And believe it or not, we hit that $5k nearly every year due to a chronic condition she has.
So, before I get a dime in benefits, I’m out $13k+! It’s almost cheaper to be unemployed!
Do I smell another tax hike in the works?
S.52 died in committee last biennium. If, and it’s a big if- leadership allows their favorite socialist/elites to introduce S.52 or similar legislation this biennium, things are not as they were just 8 months ago. vhyovsky, gulick, hardy, lyons and ram/hinsdale haven’t got a super-majority to move legislation out of the chamber, let alone survive a veto. This bill was virtue-signaling for Chittenden, Addison and Windsor elitist donors, part of the socialist wish list for 2024. legislators have other spending priorities and a crisis or three for next year- expect the Dec. 1 Tax Letter to state a need for more double-digit property tax increases. So, yes- you do smell multiple tax hikes in the air- probably not for this particular pie-in-the-sky proposal.
Don’t these fools see what Vt voters did to begin dismantling the Dem’s power in our legislature? Why, because Vermonters are fed up with one giveaway program after another. These idiots have a loyalty to their party, not to their constituents.
This crap has to be stopped. These higher than thou legislators should voluntarily sign up to pay 2x their normal tax rates for income and property taxes to help cover these unconstitutional and over the top liberal giveaways. Republican’s help stop this continuing nonsense!!!
You mean they STILL haven’t gotten the message after Nov 5? They’re either selectively deaf or brain dead.
https://twitter.com/i/status/1858875629950681452
Perhaps the above video will change the mind of some politicians, that we are a republic, not a democracy…..
Put them in jail…..the politicians breaking the law! lol.
read the statue, don’t cross that line……..
popcorn please…..I want to watch what happens. Oh yeah……..sanctuary mayors, alderman, governors, going to jail.
This year and next year private insurance increase cost me the price of four cords of wood.
They will never learn because they think they know better. So glad I moved to TN.
Stupid is as stupid does.
If people aren’t contributing to the tax base then they should NOT benefit from it. Many years ago when I was going through a rough patch, I needed a little help to get through, not a freebie. I was working…..working a lot and just needed some help. My wife and I were told by the state and I quote, “Quit your jobs and we’ll give you all the help you want.” Needless to say, I figured it out on my own and seldom do I ask anyone for help on anything.
Here is a video of RFK Jr. talking about Ukraine…. in 3 minutes he destroys the charade that is going on…
https://rumble.com/v5rf8mn-robert-f.-kennedy-jr-exposes-the-truth-about-ukraine-in-3-minutes..html?e9s=src_v1_upp
What is happening is pure evil and corruption, that people could be this diabolical is absurd, but they have chosen their idol, it is money.
God Speed to this new administration. God speed to the freedom of information and press…….
Vermont taxpayers, keep paying your taxes and they’ll find a way to pizz it up a rope,
they don’t care ……………………. wake up people !!
Keep working, you are the money tree
November 19, 2024: “Tom Homan warns mayors and governors: “Review Title 8 U.S.C. § 1324 – It’s a felony to harbor illegal aliens. Don’t cross that line.”
I’d say the line was crossed many times over and the line is in the sand. Some leaders, NGOs and non-profits gaslighting themselves to believe they will not face consequences or federal criminal charges? “No one is above the law” they say. Is there supposed to be an asterisk next to that statement for the treasonous installed regime? Round them up and prosecute them all. Boomerang incoming.
Where has common sense gone?
I know of no other explanation in this, and similar cases like this, that it’s often more than just stupidity and lack of common sense: it’s unmitigated evil and an agenda from hell to destroy our nation. Unfortunately, there are many political pawns who play—either wittingly or unwittingly—into the hands of the spiritual forces of wickedness to advance such destructive foolishness. That’s why they need to be called out and voted out.
My son & wife, small business owners will probably leave this state dues to overwhelming regulations and taxes. Too bad as they have a successful enterprise. they work very hard and cannot afford health insurance but how often can you be kicked in the mouth by Montpelier. Can you believe they increased their salaries & gave themselves health insurace. this blue state is a run by wealthy people who have no resect for us workers. t