The North Dakota Senate Appropriations Committee made significant strides in addressing the state's human resources needs during their recent meeting on April 2, 2025. A key focus was on the hiring of new personnel to enhance service delivery in health and behavioral health clinics, which are currently struggling to meet demand.

Committee members discussed the financial implications of hiring additional staff, emphasizing that these positions are expected to generate revenue. The conversation highlighted that a conservative estimate suggests that 70 to 80 percent of the new hires would be billable, meaning they can directly contribute to revenue through services provided. This is particularly crucial as many clinics are currently turning away individuals seeking care due to capacity issues.

To address this, the committee identified a need for 58 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions to ensure that no one is turned away. The established fees for current services would allow for immediate billing and revenue collection. However, the introduction of 45 new service codes poses a challenge, as the state must first incur a full year of costs before being able to bill Medicaid for these services.

The discussions underscored the importance of balancing staffing levels with the capacity to generate revenue, ensuring that the state can meet the growing demand for health services while also maintaining financial sustainability. As the committee moves forward, the focus will remain on implementing these staffing changes effectively to enhance service delivery and reduce wait times for North Dakota residents.