JFAC approves Public Health Services enhancements, directs multiple department studies

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee voted March 12 to approve an FY2026 enhancement package for the Department of Health and Welfare’s Division of Public Health Services and to adopt a set of directive language asking the department to study several program transitions and billing practices.

The committee approved a substitute motion to add four full-time equivalent positions and increase appropriations to support program restorations, ARPA multi-year programs, communicable disease prevention work, an immunization assessment fund request, and other public-health programs. The committee’s composite action carried a due-pass recommendation by recorded vote: 14 ayes, 4 nays, 2 absent/excused across both chambers.

The enhancements bundle included funding elements for the Office of Accreditation and Planning, Suicide Prevention, Drug Overdose Prevention, Refugee Health Screening, an Alzheimer’s and dementia…