JFAC advances Department of Health and Welfare public health budget with added positions, immunization and prevention funding

A committee motion to add staff and funding for the Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Public Health Services passed the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on March 12.

The committee approved an enhancement package that included four additional full‑time equivalent positions, multiple program restorations and targeted funding for immunizations, home visiting, HIV and hepatitis prevention, and ARPA‑funded multi‑year programs. Representative Furness moved the substitute motion; Senator Wintrow seconded.

The motion directs additions to the FY2026 JFAC program maintenance budget and change‑adjustments in the division’s budget. Under that motion the package included, among other line items, approximately $2,236,300 ongoing from the general fund (motion language and subsequent restatements referenced $2,236,300 and other adjustments), $2,650,000 from dedicated funds, and roughly $20,196,700 from federal funds (total dollar figures in the motion as read to the committee were presented as about $25.08 million). The packet and discussion named discrete items:…