Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Program Transitions And Audits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
JFAC directs DHW to study grant pass-throughs, double billing and several program transitions
Summary
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on March 12 adopted language directing the Department of Health and Welfare to study whether pass-through clinical-service grants should transition to federally qualified health centers, to identify double-billing of federal grants and Medicaid, and to analyze vendor and in-house options for several programs.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on March 12 adopted language directing the Department of Health and Welfare (DHW) to study a series of administrative transitions and billing practices, including potential double billing and vendor options for key state services.
Alex Williamson of the Legislative Services Office briefed the committee that one item “requires the department to look at the transition of pass through grants for the provision of clinical services from the seven public health districts to federally qualified health centers and other safety net providers,” and to identify any instances where services paid by federal grants were also billed to Medicaid.
The committee approved that language by unanimous consent. Members also approved by vote instructions directing DHW to:
- Develop a plan to end instances of double billing between federal grants and Medicaid. - Produce a cost-benefit analysis of moving the 988 crisis hotline contract to Magellan Health or other qualified vendors (this item was adopted after a roll-call vote). - Prepare a cost-benefit analysis of bringing the state’s cancer data registry in-house rather than using the current contractor. - Outline steps to transition the Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia grant to the Commission on Aging, and to transition the Fit and Fall Proof program to the Commission on Aging. - Outline steps to transition the drug overdose prevention program from the Division of Public Health to the Office of Drug Policy.
Senator Sandra Wintrow objected to a blanket acceptance of language earlier in the hearing, saying she was “troubled by the amount of language” and that some directives looked like policy changes rather than reporting requirements. The committee proceeded to vote on contested items; the 988 cost-benefit language passed a roll call that produced a committee total of 16 ayes, 2 nays, 2 absent/excused.
Why it matters: the direction to study pass-through grants and double billing addresses concerns about duplication of federal and Medicaid payments, and the vendor and in‑house analyses could lead to administrative changes in how the state contracts for crisis services and handles health data.
Next steps: DHW must prepare the requested reports and analyses for JFAC and the relevant policy committees as specified in the language approved by the committee.
