Hhs Committee Committee Session
The session featured an overview of the Maryland Department of Health (MDH) budget for Fiscal Year 2025, noting a total allowance decrease of $261 million or 1.3% from the working appropriation, largely driven by lower projected Medicaid enrollment due to the unwinding process following the COVID-19 public health emergency. Proposed deficiencies for Fiscal 2024 totaling $635 million, mainly due to anticipated Medicaid shortfalls, were also discussed. COVID-19 federal stimulus funds usage and phase-out were covered. Discussions included contractual conversions to Merit positions and issues concerning Medicaid Home and Community Based Service (HCBS) waiver programs, noting significant growth in waitlist registries for Community Options and Autism waivers despite unfilled authorized slots, attributed to provider capacity limitations and administrative delays from staff vacancies. Provider rates and rate-setting studies were reviewed, including ongoing transition for DDA and the planned two-phase rate study for community-based Behavioral Health Services. Finally, findings from the Office of Legislative Audits regarding MDH's federal fund accounting procedures were highlighted, detailing $3.5 billion lacking proper documentation, with $2.1 billion reported recovered as of November 2023.