Public health services seeks restorations, one‑time federal enhancements in FY2026 budget

At a Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee hearing, Department of Health and Welfare Director Alex Adams and Division of Public Health Administrator Elke Shaw Tullock outlined the Division of Public Health Services' FY2026 budget request, including restoration of multiple ongoing programs and roughly $8.8 million in one‑time federal enhancements.

The request matters because the Division administers core public‑health functions statewide — immunizations, communicable‑disease surveillance, laboratory services, suicide prevention, WIC and vital records — and much of its funding flows out to local health districts and contractors. "I would characterize it as a healthy exercise," Director Alex Adams told the committee about the division's program review and budgeting changes.

Keith Bybee, division manager for budget policy analysis, walked members through the division's structure and the budget trend. "Public health services is a big one," Bybee said, describing five program areas: physical health services, emergency medical services, laboratory services, suicide prevention and the health policy initiatives program that houses the State Healthcare Innovation Plan (SHIP). He told the committee the division had 256.52 full‑time equivalent positions established, with four vacancies as of Aug. 31, 2024.

Committee materials show the FY2025 original appropriation for the Division of Public Health Services at about $164,020,000. Bybee and department staff attributed…