The Joint Finance Committee heard FY27 Governor's Recommended Budget presentations from the Department of Health and Social Services and its eight divisions, totaling $5.46 billion in proposed spending, with Secretary Kristen Link Young and division directors describing significant federal uncertainty around SNAP, Medicaid, and other program funding that threatens to shift substantial costs to the state.
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Representative Williams pressed that the three-tier special education rate process had been ongoing for several years with a completed study and recommendations but no funding attached, and asked whether the purchase of care increase funds could be redirected to implement it. Secretary Link Young responded that she did not have exact timing, deferred to unnamed staff who stated they did not have a cost estimate but would get one, and indicated that the governor's recommended budget epilogue language directs any available funds toward a mechanical eligibility increase rather than particular populations, though she left open the possibility of further conversation if flexibility existed.
“We face unprecedented uncertainty about what federal dollars will be paid to us and when those dollars will arrive. And of even greater consequence for Delawareans, federal policy changes often push in the opposite direction of our values.”
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Sign in to subscribeWelcome to order. I have 9:02 on my clock, so we're already two minutes behind. I want to. I want to begin by asking for a moment of silence. And I want all of us just to take a moment and contemplate or perhaps say a short prayer for the men and women of our armed services who are in conflict in the Middle East. And we pray that this conflict is resolved as quickly as possible with minimal loss of life. Thank you. So we are now going to begin with the DHSS presentation. We have before us our secretary, Kristen Link Young and Madam, the floor is yours. Great. Good morning, Senator Parsee, Representative Williams, members of the Joint Finance Committee and members of the public. I'm Kristen Link Young and it's an honor to be here today to discuss the work of the Department of Health and Social services and our FY27 governor's recommended budget. I'm joined by our deputy secretaries and members of our division leadership and you will hear from us throughout the day about our work to promote health, foster self sufficiency and protect those with complex physical and behavioral health needs. None of…
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