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Health department budget, fees and 'single standard of care' spark debate; Community Justice Center reports early use
Summary
DPH outlined budget pressures, proposed patient-rate increases and fee items; the department's proposal to change indigent mental-health standards (the 'single standard of care' amendment) drew objections from advocates. The new Community Justice Center reported early patient contacts and on-site services.
Department of Public Health officials told the Budget & Finance Committee the department’s total budget is $1.447 billion, with hospitals accounting for $822 million and general fund support of approximately $319 million. DPH said it met much of its target through revenue increases and federal stimulus FMAP changes but still proposed limited reductions to direct services (about $12 million) and asked supervisors to consider restorations where possible.
Among the administrative items DPH proposed were annual patient-rate adjustments (used primarily to recover costs from insured and out-of-county patients) and new fee proposals for…
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