The Joint House and Senate Appropriations Committee met on March 6, 2019.

Central Management Base Budget Overview

Denise Thomas, Fiscal Research provided the Committee with an update. She stated that the total DHHS budget for all purchased services and aid is around $20 billion. $18 billion is budgeted for purchased services and aid and assistance.

She added that there was also a base budget increase in the Community Health Grant Program from $7,500,000 to $15,000. This funding could be used for capital improvements to provide direct patient care.

She noted that the State Loan Repayment Programs were combined and the use expanded to include incentives for general surgeons practicing in critical access hospitals. The program also includes providers using telemedicine in rural and underserved areas.

DHHS Major IT Projects

Sam Gibbs, Deputy Secretary for Technology and Operations provided IT updates on NCTracks, NC FAST, Medicaid Transformation, and CSRS.

Broughton Hospital Update

Kody Kinsley, Deputy Secretary for Behavioral Health and IDD, provided the Committee with an overview of the Broughton Hospital updates. The project is expected to start on April 15, 2019. The physical relocation of patients and anticipated staff anticipated early September 2019.