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Committee adopts letter asking state to notify chairs if federal funding for Bright Star shifts
Summary
The appropriations committee adopted a letter of intent asking state health officials to notify committee co-chairs and present options if federal funding changes disrupt Bright Star maternal and infant mortality programs; the committee also requested data reports by November.
The Joint Committee on Appropriations adopted a letter of intent asking the Department of Health to notify the committee co-chairs and present options for action if federal funding for maternal and infant health programs changes in a way that would disrupt services connected with the Bright Star program.
Representative Muckey, who introduced the item, said the item reflects a shift from general funds to federal funds for parts of the program and that the committee seeks early notice and data. Muckey said the letter notes a reduction of $300,000 to the Bright Star program and that the department proposed increasing staffing authority through federal dollars by $231,326 to fund a women's health manager and a newborn screening operations coordinator. "What I've asked ... is just to make sure we're notified if there's a change of federal funding that would disrupt us actually dealing with our maternal infant mortality rates," Muckey said.
Senator Howard said he was concerned the original wording could force the agency to propose options that may not exist if federal funds disappeared; the committee amended the paragraph to say the agency should "notify the co-chairs of the Joint Committee, and present options for action." The amendment was moved by Senator Howard, seconded by Representative Muckey, and adopted. The full letter was then adopted on a recorded vote: 17 yeas, 1 excused.
Nut graf: The LOI asks for early notice and data so the committee can monitor maternal and infant mortality trends and potential funding disruptions; it also asks the Department to share available data for South Dakota, surrounding states and tribal nations before the November meeting.
The committee asked the Department for available infant and maternal mortality data, described changes in reporting that affect trend interpretation, and asked that the state’s maternal health task force materials be shared. The LOI directs the agency to provide that information to the committee ahead of the November meeting.
Ending: The adopted LOI creates a formal channel for notice and information sharing about federal funding and mortality data for maternal and infant health services tied to the Bright Star program.
