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Committee reports DHS and OHA spring rebalance with $64.5 million in general fund savings
Summary
The Human Services Subcommittee reported Senate Bill 5,547 out with disappropriations and transfers that produce roughly $64.5 million in general fund savings across the Department of Human Services and the Oregon Health Authority, including tribal clinical-training set-aside and program timing adjustments.
Representative Valderrama presented Senate Bill 5,547, the spring rebalance for the Department of Human Services (DHS) and the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), describing updated caseload forecasts, program adjustments and rebalances that yielded general fund savings.
The nut graf: The subcommittee recommended SB 5,547 with technical adjustments that disappropriate about $64.5 million in general fund savings across DHS and OHA; savings stem from higher federal and other fund revenues, caseload and timing adjustments, and one-time savings, while some program needs (Oregon State Hospital, public health) increase general fund pressure. The package includes a tribal set-aside for clinical training highlighted by committee members.
Representative Valderrama, Representative (presenter), said SB 5,547 accounts for updated caseload forecasts, revised program processes, revenue changes and technical adjustments across both agencies and results in total general fund savings of $64,500,000. The presenter explained savings in DHS largely result from higher federal and other fund revenues in aging, people with disabilities, and intellectual and developmental disabilities programs as well as one-time child welfare savings; these are partially offset by forecasted caseload increases and costs for stabilization and crisis unit overtime and flood relief efforts in Crook, Douglas and Harney counties.
For OHA, the presenter said caseload and cost adjustments reduce general fund need by $30.8 million while moving $45.6 million in general fund appropriations for capital projects from the current biennium to the 2025–27 biennium. The package also anticipates additional general fund savings from the Nurse-Family Partnership program close-out and the development of the Basic Health Plan.
Representative John Smith noted the tribal set-aside for clinical training and said this funding is "absolutely essential to ensure that we have, equitable health care for all Oregonians." Other members discussed program caps and sustainability concerns for programs such as the Healthier Oregon proposal.
Outcome: The Human Services Subcommittee recommended SB 5,547 be amended by the -2 amendment and reported out due pass as amended; the committee approved the recommendation.
Ending: Committee members asked that the rebalance funds be used to continue key programs and requested continued oversight of program caps and sustainability.
