[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6359294,"mediaKeyId","2187539-3a7eb2ded2a5de162beb0c7b38f1db53","parentId",2187539,"title","Appropriations subcommittee approves technical budget motions, with a few policy reductions held for later votes","audioSeconds",977,"startMs",2477000,"endMs",3454000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2187539-3a7eb2ded2a5de162beb0c7b38f1db53&start=2477&end=3454","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2187539-3a7eb2ded2a5de162beb0c7b38f1db53/thumbnail_2477000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6359294/Utah/Appropriations-subcommittee-approves-technical-budget-motions-with-a-few-policy-reductions-held-for-later-votes","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359294-a261e628459675001419a28fa279db7d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193674&Signature=cDLf4~vlx-3vRQUCWOLzdVU~wRyiirDYEnZnOQQDzliaoBero-cP~uKjXIjxbARut25ILHk45eUo3xbjHRsLWv73jkqzfovxaOP3rRQDshEWVirY4aPzlBezWwtkmWVSsa7bUP-BZ9fvZ8nfEE~3IEeho9cdsP2pXqAmT9NYjxguDctsbq18b69unPg7e84QkX4VrR~jXru2H0U0BXMyOV7UM0IZlxukqkwSXohoxqXNX-bkg-PoGXU2M2FnKuJ~I56gbwTH~tYbEqBfg0JI3WwH3RztGfDBrUEmNLy2ZQ2HNu~oHYuICcpTjP2RNu1Z3ahKkSFDmdSuXs1VIcsUgg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Utah State Legislature","date","2025-01-31T00:00:00Z","article","The Utah Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee voted unanimously at this hearing to approve a series of technical and line‑item budget motions that adjust federal fund authority, align expected fee and enterprise collections, and grant non‑lapsing authority for unspent funds.

Key votes and motions

- CI motions (federal funds and technical items): The committee approved “CI motions” on federal fund approvals and technical adjustments but explicitly excluded CI‑17, CI‑18, CI‑20 and CI‑32 from the package. Staff explained those excluded items required more discussion (CI‑17 concerned hospital outlier payment methodology and a proposed $36.7 million reduction; CI‑18 related to a Medicaid dental shift waiver; CI‑20 dealt with pharmacy carve‑out/preferred drug list language; CI‑32 concerned carry‑forward authority for a youth center project). The motion to approve the remainder of the CI items passed unanimously.

- CC motions (Clinical Services line item): The committee approved CC‑1 through CC‑11, which included authority to adjust the qualified patient enterprise fund (medical cannabis fee collections), align appropriations with forecasted collections, and grant non‑lapsing authority for the Office of the Medical Examiner and the Utah Public Health Laboratory. The motions were described as technical and designed to match appropriations to expected fee revenues and grant receipts; the package passed unanimously.

- CJ motions (Long‑Term Services and Supports line item): The committee approved CJ‑1 through CJ‑8, which included approval of federal funds briefs, restricted account authority for DSPD, and non‑lapsing authority that would allow the agency to carry unspent funds forward for emergency use or capital purchases. Staff described CJ‑6 as a corrective reallocation to place previously mis‑assigned home‑and‑community‑based services funding in the correct Medicaid line items. The CJ package passed unanimously.

- CA motions (interim planning and related motions): The committee approved CA‑5 through CA‑9, which included technical authorities for staff to update estimates and attach performance‑measure reporting where federal TANF funds apply. The broader planning motion CA‑4 was held for further consideration.

Several committee members asked for clarification on specific items — for example, Chair Ward and Representative Peck asked whether the clinical services grant cuts were ongoing or one‑time and whether a cremation permit fee increase would shift costs onto families. Agency officials replied that the clinical competitive grants at issue had been one‑time awards and that staff recommended any execution of the cut be applied to unpaid grant obligations rather than to reduce the competitive grant pool permanently. Medical examiner officials described cost drivers such as body transport and case complexity and warned against shifting large fee burdens onto grieving families without further review.

Why it matters: These motions mainly align appropriations with expected revenue and allow agencies to carry unspent federal or enterprise funds into the next fiscal year. While largely technical, several items removed from the package (notably CI‑17 and CI‑20) relate to potential programmatic changes that could affect Medicaid payment methodologies and pharmacy administration; committee members signaled the need for more deliberation before taking those actions.

Next steps: The items held for additional discussion will return to the committee in subsequent meetings; the subcommittee plans to vote on proposed reductions on its final scheduled day, and staff told members they may draft ad hoc motions for consideration before that vote.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee - January 31, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Utah Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee voted unanimously at this hearing to approve a series of technical and line‑item budget motions that adjust federal fund authority, align expected fee and enterprise collections, and grant non‑lapse authority for unspent funds.","taxTitle","2025 Utah Legislature, Utah Legislature, Utah Legislative Branch, Utah","taxId",78171,"location","Utah","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359299,"Private duty nursing provider urges higher Medicaid rates to move children from hospital to home",113,411000,524000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2187539-3a7eb2ded2a5de162beb0c7b38f1db53&start=411&end=524","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2187539-3a7eb2ded2a5de162beb0c7b38f1db53/thumbnail_411000.jpg","/articles/6359299/Utah/Private-duty-nursing-provider-urges-higher-Medicaid-rates-to-move-children-from-hospital-to-home","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359299-32488017425df0c072cc78be4a887c82/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193674&Signature=SrvWvItwlyQIjsikiCfbz-nrnrDtR7wnHtI0XE17rJ1NOi3AFLXpsqc-uVvDT2X4o84bNqsS1of9eZr-cqmawL-KVlvx74f8xDKyb9armMYd1GgU-fSLw5~nftetnSbMj2Mcs4XeRlBRx8SYi9tD2ePYIHnBojgvlLDidF72UG~GzmKSNpiBncjYmSfPzKWzENQE-0hMHhqB0StS3twadVeSJuaOM8er6R5HTr0Cm0FY83pyf6teE5H54b2yR1PcqBLvSLfdyf1Gwoe8IDKziGtUDKzNfVUgjuF5RxKtGSqQnvn~1J8xiH3R7UJxHmfl~ratsr6KVs8lsa6yNh4mBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Maxim Healthcare Services, a private provider of in‑home skilled nursing, told the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee that Medicaid reimbursement for private duty nursing (PDN) must increase to recruit staff and allow medically fragile children to receive care at home instead of in hospitals.

Kate Morrison, who identified herself as a Maxim representative, said Maxim provides private duty nursing for children with life‑sustaining needs such as tracheostomies and ventilators. Morrison said the company is unable to fill dozens of in‑home cases and that higher rates would allow agencies to hire more RNs and LPNs and reduce prolonged hospital stays.

Morrison emphasized the cost differential between inpatient and PDN care. She said, “it’s about $35100 a day in Utah to be in a hospital, and it’s about $500 a day for home health and PDN,” and argued the state would save money if children could be discharged home with adequate nursing coverage. She also said private providers compete with hospitals, school districts and other employers and that a rate increase would help stabilize the workforce.

Committee interaction: staff and members acknowledged Morrison’s testimony and noted the broader workforce shortage in health care. Morrison identified her membership in the Home Health and Hospice Association of Utah and thanked the committee for hearing providers’ concerns. No appropriation or rate change vote occurred during this hearing.

Why it matters: PDN enables medically fragile children to live at home rather than remain in intensive care settings; reimbursement rates directly affect provider capacity and the state’s Medicaid costs. Claims about per‑day costs and savings were presented by the provider and should be reviewed against LFA and agency cost estimates when the committee considers a formal rate change.","Maxim Healthcare Services told the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee that private duty nursing (PDN) rate increases are needed to recruit staff and allow medically fragile children to receive care at home instead of in hospitals.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359309,"Families and advocates press committee for funding to trim DSPD wait list; lawmakers hear requests but take only technical motions",3326,1300000,4626000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2187539-3a7eb2ded2a5de162beb0c7b38f1db53&start=1300&end=4626","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2187539-3a7eb2ded2a5de162beb0c7b38f1db53/thumbnail_1300000.jpg","/articles/6359309/Utah/Families-and-advocates-press-committee-for-funding-to-trim-DSPD-wait-list-lawmakers-hear-requests-but-take-only-technical-motions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359309-0ec8914941871aa0d42d9ecc4a527b07/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193674&Signature=of-7UybeOcKsMT~kazP3LSfUpL36UyFW3~XWGgmCZ~hNgrct~DzmwMlLbdSBwgRTO7oVN5SuKy5zdgtx26kziCTqE062aO3anshaytsMOLg~ySw0pNGKSRBLtj~xmF~SMd2qA11CAaHl4vPkJzAELeXgOGNBAo444Liv1UN982VXb1aocF8LYTMO4algE1jRa-P1ENylS7rb4IV6KhMsFk1K9Jji7nT-vYMkhqTRdj1lN38Iq6SFjVO0NXU23Md2-NJEVjg--nm9mHRaHbZZ~iVP7Ha7UFr3oAR8~r92u19qr-3n44q1We6u05jIjO7sqYtpbMUZVBo0V3IqaYUKrw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Dozens of family members and disability advocates pressed the Utah Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee on requests to reduce the state’s DSPD wait list and to fund supports for people who remain waiting.

Parents and grandparents described day‑to‑day caregiving demands, aggressive or medical needs, and the daily risk of leaving an adult family member without sufficient supervision. Hillary Clark, a parent who said her son Hunter has Kabuki syndrome, autism and epilepsy, told the committee her son has been on the DSPD wait list six years and needs constant, skilled supervision. Christine Humphreys, a grandmother, described her grandson Dane, who is profoundly deaf and autistic, and the family caregiving burdens and travel times to specialized services.

The speakers urged the committee to fund a multi‑part request from the Division of Services for People with Disabilities (DSPD). Angie Pina, director of DSPD, and staff outlined a request that DSPD presented as three linked pieces: ongoing slots to bring people off the wait list; an ongoing peer‑support program to help families still waiting; and staff to operate the programs. Pina told committee members the agency’s real‑time wait list stood at 5,935 people and that the program’s historical average wait time is about 5.7 years (standard deviation 5.7 years), with some individuals waiting decades.

DSPD’s proposal would cost the general fund about $5.4 million ongoing and aims to serve roughly 345 additional people: 214 would be funded based on “most critical need” and 131 would be served via a capped “limited supports” waiver designed to deliver a smaller bundle of services. DSPD also seeks $974,750 ongoing to staff a peer‑support program that would help families still waiting to find community resources, advocacy coaching and other bridge supports; the request includes staffing and administration costs to operate the new slots and supports.

Legislators asked detailed operational questions. Representative Peck and others pressed on the peer support design (how “short‑term” supports can be ongoing in the aggregate), how DSPD cleans and updates the wait list (staff said the agency contacts people at least annually and re‑assesses need), and what families do while waiting (lawmakers and witnesses said families rely on a mix of informal supports but many remain in fragile, unstable situations). Several members noted the moral and fiscal arguments for early intervention and in‑home supports and asked staff for clarifications on how the $5.4 million breaks down into direct provider payments versus administrative costs.

Committee action: the subcommittee did not vote to fund DSPD’s $5.4 million proposal during this meeting. The committee did vote to approve a package of technical budget motions for the long‑term services and supports line item (CJ1–CJ8), which include non‑lapse authority to allow DSPD to use unspent funds for emergency service needs if circumstances require it. The CJ motions were presented as agency and staff technical adjustments and were approved by the committee (see “Votes at a glance” article for the motions record).

Why it matters: DSPD manages services that enable people with developmental disabilities to remain in family homes and community settings. Long wait times can lead to family breakdown, crisis placements and higher costs if individuals require institutional or emergency care. Lawmakers must weigh tradeoffs across many budget priorities; advocates framed the request as both a human‑service imperative and, in cases, a cost‑effective investment that allows families to keep loved ones at home.

Looking ahead: DSPD officials said implementing any funding will require contracting and program setup; the agency said prioritization will continue to focus on those with the most critical needs. The request will return to appropriations discussions as lawmakers finalize reductions and additions later in the session.","Dozens of family members and disability advocates pressed the Utah Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee on requests to reduce the state’s DSPD wait list and to fund supports for people who remain waiting.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6359305,"Early‑intervention providers, parents ask appropriators to fund Baby Watch with $1.5 million ongoing",140,593000,733000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2187539-3a7eb2ded2a5de162beb0c7b38f1db53&start=593&end=733","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2187539-3a7eb2ded2a5de162beb0c7b38f1db53/thumbnail_593000.jpg","/articles/6359305/Utah/Earlyintervention-providers-parents-ask-appropriators-to-fund-Baby-Watch-with-15-million-ongoing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6359305-6292c2a5244beaff37e730c637312e74/orig.mp4?Expires=1771193674&Signature=FWVZG~IGhaxEDkBXB02q8jVtr3PIiIlfXw49r2JRV7gWGuvlFQnwZ6uO2szqJWbmJeJ8GQ8bRPQfiJRN9SPtFuNmwsDic21PyJbawX81CeGSJbQN~ITda35SCS5f98RY4t89lSdkt76B10lmoiVrofDuA7ZjLyZ14TH~W55LFalXzhfdn0NDY94lvhuYOF7Trfv6DlZO8t41QprhG8N4ghaf5ttY3Kp6aEmic~O4JscKNO6VwpAHFMzEIcSETD3b3deeiECHNvLy~A2Jgk-DQBD5i-IWd5uea7MUrwjS51J-q1tech1Lz-doVl-UD1DA2Y0INhplrfU3ZSYuPbWtuw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Multiple Baby Watch representatives and parents told the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee that Utah’s Early Intervention (Part C) programs are under strain from flat visit‑rates and staff turnover, and asked lawmakers to approve a $1.5 million ongoing building block request.

Sue Olson, who said she has worked in early intervention for more than 30 years and previously served at the Utah Department of Health, said local Part C programs are funded at an average of 1.7 visits per child per month and that visit‑rates and contract funding have not increased since 2017. Olson said frontier visit rates are $209, rural $180 and urban $168 per visit, and that most visits run 60 to 90 minutes. She told the committee that programs have experienced high turnover — programs reported as much as 64% turnover in one year — and that the proposed $1.5 million would preserve current services but would not finance growth beyond current capacity.

Crystal Gika, director of an early intervention program serving Washington and San Juan counties, described recruitment challenges in rural areas and said program revenues were squeezed when Medicaid changes shifted costs to state funding. She said her program lost multiple experienced staff to school districts and hospitals and that travel times to serve rural families can be hours long.

Parent testimony added a personal dimension. Caitlin Johnson, a parent and early childhood special education professional, described delays in receiving concurrent therapies for her daughter and said early intervention helped her child meet milestones that otherwise seemed out of reach. Johnson said she had to choose between a higher‑paying school district job and lower‑paid early intervention work and noted the substantial pay differential between the two sectors.

Speakers asked the committee to approve the Department of Health and Human Services’ $1.5 million ongoing Baby Watch building block to preserve current service levels across Utah’s 14 local Part C providers.

Committee action: staff and members acknowledged the presentation; the request was entered into the record as agenda materials. Committee discussion included follow‑up questions on service coverage and rural travel demands. No appropriation vote on the $1.5 million request occurred at this hearing.

Why it matters: Part C early‑intervention services are federally required to serve eligible infants and toddlers and their families in natural environments. Providers told the committee that without the requested state funds, local programs may be unable to maintain current visit‑rates or staffing, which advocates said could reduce early developmental gains for children served by the program.

Source and next steps: The Department’s budget documents and the Baby Watch presenters’ one‑pagers were made part of the committee packet. The request will be considered in the subcommittee’s budget negotiations later in the session.","Direct service providers, program directors and parents told the Social Services Appropriations Subcommittee that Utah’s Baby Watch early intervention system faces turnover, rising costs and service caps; they asked for $1.5 million ongoing to maintain current visit rates and staffing.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Appropriations subcommittee approves technical budget motions, with a few policy reductions held for later votes

Private duty nursing provider urges higher Medicaid rates to move children from hospital to home

Families and advocates press committee for funding to trim DSPD wait list; lawmakers hear requests but take only technical motions

Early‑intervention providers, parents ask appropriators to fund Baby Watch with $1.5 million ongoing