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House does not approve funding increase for Office of Health and Social Services Ombudsman
Summary
JFAC approved a $50,000 general‑fund increase for the Office of Health and Social Services Ombudsman in committee, but the motion failed to pass the House vote later in the same session and will be taken up again at a later date.
BOISE, Feb. 14, 2025 — The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee considered and voted on a request to increase funding for the Office of the Health and Social Services Ombudsman, but the appropriation did not secure a House majority in the final recorded votes and therefore failed for now.
What happened: Senator Wintrow moved the $50,000 ongoing general‑fund increase for the ombudsman office; Representative Handy seconded. Representative Price announced he would vote no, citing concerns that the new program’s pay grades and compensation levels appeared inconsistent between the budget book and the program’s annual report. On the roll call the Senate recorded 8 ayes, 2 nays; the House recorded 5 ayes, 2 nays and 3 absent/excused for a total of 13 ayes, 4 nays, 3 absent/excused. The committee recorded that the motion failed in the House and that the item will be taken up at a later date.
Why it matters: The ombudsman office provides a route for grievances and appeals related to health and human services; a new permanent increase in funding would expand its capacity. Legislators expressed differing views on the timing and pay‑grade details for a nascent program.
Next steps: Committee staff recorded that the motion failed on the House side and that the appropriation may be reconsidered in a future meeting.
