St. Louis County health director outlines FQHC revenue hopes, requests follow‑up on clinic receipts and corrections medicine costs

Dr. Cunningham, director of the St. Louis County Department of Public Health, told the county’s Budget Committee on Oct. 16 that the department is counting on an FQHC (federally qualified health center) look‑alike designation, a new electronic medical record system and improved billing to increase clinic reimbursements and reduce the county subsidy.

The department’s FY2026 request covers the health fund and the solid‑waste management fund and seeks opioid‑remediation dollars to support the MAT program in corrections medicine. “The DPH budget is made up of the health fund and a solid waste management fund,” Dr. Cunningham said. She described the budget as aligned with the region’s community health improvement priorities and the county’s STL Co 2050 plan.

Why this matters: the county’s clinical services account for a substantial share of DPH spending and corrections medicine alone was identified in the presentation as roughly 20% of the department’s budget. Council members said they need clearer, line‑by‑line revenue and fund‑balance detail before acting on the broader budget request.

What officials presented: Dr. Cunningham said the public health clinics improved billing and…