Committee weighs fate of community health worker funding as chambers diverge

The Joint Budget Committee confronted a major policy divergence April 12 on community health workers after the House and Senate took opposite positions. Craig Harper, JBC staff, said the committee’s long‑bill assumptions count on savings tied to repealing or altering the program and that failing to act would produce an ongoing general‑fund obligation.

An analyst estimated a roughly $2.8 million cost in the first year if the program is retained as drafted, with an increase to about $3.2–3.7 million in subsequent years as the program ramps up. The House had voted to remove or phase out the program; the Senate retained funding but proposed amendments limiting long‑term obligations.

Members debated timing and pay‑fors. Some argued for repealing the program to protect other budget priorities and legislative set‑aside dollars. Others said rescinding the program would create service gaps and that related bills (notably SB290 and other primary‑care proposals) might deliver alternate pay‑fors — leaving the question linked to multiple moving parts.

Chair and several members said they would revisit the decision when reconciling long‑bill and orbital items; the chair noted the decision is contingent on what the conference committee ultimately agrees to and the availability of set‑aside funds. No final vote was recorded.

The committee asked staff to preserve options in conference language and to return with up‑to‑date costing tied to other pending bills so members can weigh the program’s future in the final budget.