MHA's Legislative Liaison

Upcoming legislative deadlines

Two important deadlines are fastly approaching. This Thursday, February 16, is the deadline for requesting that general bills and constitutional amendments be drafted. Next Monday, February 20, is the deadline for introducing general bills and constitutional amendments.  

House Appropriations Committee Briefing by the Health Department

Earlier this week, the Department of Health introduced their budget request to the House Appropriations Committee. The Department requested $32,000,000 for FY2013 (as compared to their FY2012 request of $26,500,000).

State Health Officer Dr. Mary Currier told the Committee that the needed increase was largely due to the fact that the Department has spent its reserves to keep clinics open during the past several years. She warned that some of these clinics would be forced to close if the Department’s funding is not increased.