Committee backs adjustments to women's health and immunization grant budgets

The Bethlehem City Council Finance Committee voted to place legislation on the full council agenda to increase two grant-funded budget lines after the health department reported leftover funds from the prior fiscal year.

The administration asked the committee to increase account 0302-42214 by $7,900 for the women’s health services program and account 0302-42177 for immunization outreach by $34,000. The committee moved and seconded the recommendation; the clerk recorded aye votes and the legislation will be placed on the council agenda.

A Health Department staff member told the committee the women’s health funds support the family planning clinic and pay for nurse-practitioner services. The staff member said that particular women’s health services grant is currently slated to end June 30, 2026, and the state has only indicated that it is "hopeful" the grant will be continued; renewal is not certain.

The staff member also said the immunization outreach grant will continue but at a reduced level next fiscal year. To manage decreases in immunization funding, the department intends to use flexible funds from a public health infrastructure grant that runs through 2027, pursue other grant opportunities, seek partnerships with Medicaid managed-care organizations and increase clinic billing where appropriate. The department said it had decided not to purchase COVID vaccines through the immunization grant because the costs and reimbursement did not make that option advantageous.

The finance committee recommended placing the appropriation adjustments on the full council agenda; final acceptance of the budget changes requires council approval.