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State officials cite delays, legal challenges and budget gaps in Idaho Behavioral Health Plan funding request
Summary
Analysts and the Department of Health and Welfare described delays in implementing the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan, asked for federal grant authority and an exemption to state transfer limits to cover unforeseen mental-health costs; director said legal challenges and contract size slowed the rollout.
BOISE — The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard detailed budget requests and explanations Friday about the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan (IBHP), including a one-time federal grant request and a departmental ask to be exempted from statutory limits on program transfers.
Alex Williamson, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the committee the department requests a $6.7 million one-time federal appropriation for the first year of the Idaho Behavioral Health Plan and a $261,400 ongoing federal operating increase tied to Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration grants. Williamson said the agency needs legislative authority to access federal grants issued around the plan’s July 2024 launch because the appropriation was originally dated to 2022 and is no longer usable without new authority.
“The reason for this request … the appropriation was for 2022 and…
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