Day 36 - 4/13/2007

Home Stretch

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Work in the General Assembly has suddenly taken on a feverish pace as legislators race to pass bills before the anticipated conclusion of the 2007 session next week.

The House focused on budget decisions today and  approved the Conference Committee Report on the Supplemental 2007 Budget.  The Supplemental Budget bill, HB 94, fully funds the PeachCare shortfall, funds the Public Defenders Standards Council, and provides some disaster relief for tornado-affected areas.

The House also passed HB 95, the 2008 Budget.  One item of interest to child advocates was a provision to move all individuals in the Aged, Blind and Disabled (ABD) Program to CMOs by January 1, 2008.  The Commissioner of the Department of Community Health has expressed concern about the ability of the Department to meet this deadline, and legislators mentioned this while questioning the reliability of the projected savings estimate.  In addition to cutting DCH’s budget by the amount of the projected savings from this change for the ABD population, HB 95 removes funding for the HPV vaccine and cuts DHR adolescent health funding.

HB 95 will now move to the Senate for consideration.