Public Health pushes for restoration of funds

The Human Resources Division of the House Appropriations Committee heard testimony from local public health units on HB 1004, the Department of Health budget.  Administrators from various health units requested restoration of the $525,000 State Aid reduction in the Governor’s budget.  Representatives from multi-county, single county and city/county health districts explained ramifications of the proposed reduction.  State Aid funds are used for gap funding to provide needed community services not funded through other sources.  Some unfunded needs include collaboration with tribes, case management, maternal and child health, vaccine chart review, balance of Family Planning practitioner salary and benefits not paid by insurance, nuisance inspection for community members, Community Health Assessment, behavioral health education and referral.  The $525,000 restoration would merely hold level 2017-19 state aid funding.