Biennial Budget Update

• By: Angela Westhoff
• On: 03/17/2023 11:00:19
• In: Legislative/Government Affairs

Last week, the Health and Human Services Committee provided their report back to the Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee on the HHS Sections of the budget. You can read the report here.

In addition to the $47 Million in COLA, $29 Million in rebasing, and $10 Million for High Maine Care Utilization add-on payments for PNMIs, the Health and Human Services Committee Democratic majority members also proposed to add an additional $6 Million in General Funds for rebasing/rate reform for State Fiscal Year 2024-2025. This will draw down additional federal dollars. The report did not specify the exact amount. The HHS committee voted along party lines and the Republican Committee members did not support the measure stating they did not feel it was warranted at this time.
(Note: the additional one-time $25 million Supplemental payments for NFs and RCFs was already approved in the Supplemental Budget- totally separate from this).

The Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee may take up HHS Sections of the budget today, March 17^th. The schedule is subject to change. MHCA will keep members apprised of budget developments.

Staff contact: awesthoff@mehca.org