JFAC reviews Division of Public Health Services budget as agency seeks to restore programs, fund data modernization

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Monday reviewed the Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Public Health Services budget request for fiscal 2026, including requests to restore several programs moved to one-time funding, fund data modernization projects, and expand workforce incentives.

Keith Bybee, division manager of budget policy analysis, told the committee the division’s programs cover immunizations, chronic and communicable disease prevention, food safety, maternal and child health, emergency medical services and more. “Public health services is a big one,” Bybee said, directing members to the budget book and online materials.

The matter drew sustained scrutiny because of a structural change last year that converted multiple ongoing program appropriations to one-time items. Bybee said that removal of ongoing programs produced a $20.7 million change and contributed to a $12.6 million ongoing reduction in the division’s base. The agency is asking to restore many of those cuts: the agency’s ongoing enhancement request totals roughly $20.8 million, and the governor recommended about $21.5 million.

Why it matters: committee members pressed the department on which programs should remain inside the division, which might move to other…