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House committee orders study of federal funding risks to DPHHS
Summary
The House Health and Human Services Committee voted to report House Joint Resolution 66, asking interim budget committees to analyze how changes at the federal level could affect the Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) and services funded primarily by federal dollars.
The House Health and Human Services Committee voted to report House Joint Resolution 66, a study resolution directing interim budget committees to review how changes at the federal level could affect the Department of Public Health and Human Services and related programs.
Representative SJ Howell, sponsor of HJR66 and a representative from House District 100 in Missoula, told the committee that "Montana's DPHHS budget ... is almost 70% federal dollars," and that the study would help the Legislature "be prepared as a state to be responsive" to federal shifts. Howell said the review would ask interim committees to analyze federal directives and prepare recommendations during the next interim.
Proponents told the committee they support the study as a proactive step. Patrick Yawaki, representing the Blackfeet Tribe, Fort Belknap Indian Community and Chippewa Cree Tribe, said with the current political climate there is "a real threat to federal funding" that sustains more than 2,012 positions at DPHHS and serves vulnerable Montanans. Ingrid Lovitt, director of government relations for Shodair Children's Hospital, said Shodair served children from all 56 Montana counties and that about 70% of its funding is Medicaid, making the hospital sensitive to changes in DPHHS programs. Shyla Patera of Northcentral Independent Living Services said DPHHS provides care for Montanans with disabilities and endorsed the study.
Committee members asked whether the study would include pass-through funding that reaches local city and county public health departments. Representative Howell said that money that passes through DPHHS to local health departments "would, I think, be part of this study" if impacted by federal changes. On capacity, Howell urged interim committees to set aside time to monitor and analyze federal changes so the Legislature would not be caught "without a plan."
Vice Chair Buttrey moved "do pass" on HJR66; the clerk reported the roll call as 21 in favor, and the committee reported the resolution do pass out of committee. The committee’s action sends the study resolution to the next step in the legislative process for consideration by the relevant interim budget committees.
