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DPH Budget Hearing Highlights COVID Costs, Behavioral-Health Bed Gaps and Staffing Constraints
Summary
The BLA report and DPH briefing showed a decade of growth in DPH spending, roughly $96.5 million in COVID-related DPH costs to date, and recommended reallocation of one-time funds plus $10.65 million annually to add 117 behavioral-health beds; DPH said some beds were delayed or repurposed and COVID response and hiring freeze complicate rapid implementation.
The committee—s July 15 hearing on the Department of Public Health budget focused on long-term spending growth, COVID-19 expenses and behavioral-health capacity.
Dan Goncher of the Budget Analyst—s Office summarized the pre-budget report, noting DPH—s total budget rose roughly 66% over the past decade and that approximately $752 million (31% of the department—s $2.47 billion budget) comes from General Fund support. The BLA reported DPH had spent about $96.5 million on COVID-related activities and had encumbered another $76.7 million as of early July; FEMA is…
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