Appropriations leaders plan budget markup, seek language for $10 million provider stabilization grants

The House Appropriations Committee met Friday, Jan. 24, 2025, to finalize its schedule ahead of next week’s budget markup and to begin drafting language for a provider stabilization program after the amount was increased from $4 million to $10 million.

Chair, House Appropriations Committee, opened the session by asking members to review committee letters and to be ready to incorporate changes across the full budget rather than only their sections. "Read all the committee letters, even if they're not yours, we should all know what's going on," the Chair said.

Members flagged the $10 million provider stabilization line item, which previously was listed at $4 million. "I wanted your advice based on what we've heard. This is in regards to the 10,000,000 stabilization. Yes. Was 4,000,000? Now it's 10," the Chair asked, and Dave, a committee member, responded, "For that 10,000,000 in particular? Yeah. I think we're gonna try to get some language." Committee members said healthcare staff (Jen Karby) had circulated draft language for consideration and that staff (Maria and Grady were named) could help finalize wording for insertion into the budget early next week.

The Chair framed timing as critical: the committee must have any new or revised language ready in the first half of the week so it can be incorporated into the final budget documents after the governor’s budget address on Tuesday. Committee members planned to consult Ways and Means staff where tax calculations and other cross-cutting items changed.

Committee logistics and next steps were set: a Monday 1 p.m. session will include a presentation on how to read the budget by Rudy, a discussion with the attorney general’s office (referred to as the general’s office in the meeting), navigation of committee budget documents, and continued committee-writer work. Directors or presenters scheduled for next week included the chair of House Healthcare, the defender general, the Human Rights Commission, and staff addressing a medical capitalization item described in the meeting as "18.5" (value not further specified). The Chair encouraged members to prepare questions and to use the weekend to review materials.

No formal motions or votes were recorded in the transcript. Committee members directed staff to draft clearer language for the provider stabilization grants (described in the current draft as "provider stabilization grants to support provider financial stability on a case by case basis") and to coordinate that text with Maria and other budget staff so it can be dropped into the budget documents if needed.

Members also discussed the tradeoffs of leaving the language vague for flexibility versus specifying eligibility and disbursement criteria; no final policy language was adopted on the record during this meeting.

The committee adjourned after confirming Monday’s start time and a plan to continue reviewing committee letters and draft language over the weekend.