Panel approves tuberculosis studies, orders review of immunization fees and Baby Your Baby outreach

The Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee on Oct. 14, 2025, reviewed the public health prevention and epidemiology budget and approved two formal requests for reports on tuberculosis services, while also directing follow-up on immunization funding and the state's Baby Your Baby prenatal outreach campaign.

Russell Fransen, finance officer with the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst, framed three recommendations tied to the review: exploring whether private health care should take responsibility for treating people with latent tuberculosis identified through employment or school screenings; researching alternatives to paying $81,000 a year to reserve two inpatient beds for non-compliant active tuberculosis patients at the University of Utah Hospital; and stopping or regularizing new fees the department had begun charging health plans for access to the state immunization registry without explicit legislative approval.

On the tuberculosis recommendations, the committee approved motions asking DHHS to study options and report back. The committee passed, by voice vote, motions supporting Recommendation 1 (explore options to have private health…