Joint Montgomery County committees recommend supplemental funds for Montgomery Cares, defer new clinic approval to FY26

A joint session of the Montgomery County Council’s Government Operations & Fiscal Policy Committee and Health and Human Services Committee on an item tied to Supplemental Appropriation 25‑58 recommended that the full council fund a supplemental appropriation for the Montgomery Cares program and defer final approval of adding the Islamic Center of Maryland clinic to the Montgomery Cares provider network until FY2026 budget deliberations.

Co‑chair Council Member Albinaz presented the item on behalf of the joint committee. The committees recommended funding the immediate supplemental at $851,152, with the funding source listed as general funds undesignated reserves, and to handle the request to add the Islamic Center of Maryland (ICM) to the network as part of the FY26 budget process. The motion to accept the staff recommendation was moved by Council Member Albanese and seconded by Council Member Katz; the committees recorded five votes in favor and one abstention.

Montgomery Cares provides primary medical services for uninsured adults who live in Montgomery County and make less than 250% of the federal poverty level. Committee staff said clinics are seeing increased utilization and are at risk of expending their budgets before the fiscal year ends. Packet materials and presenters noted the system…