DHHS Submits Proposed Drastic Budget Cuts
Public Hearings: Thursday, March 10; 1:00pm – 3:00pm and 6:00pm – 9:00pm

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has submitted its proposed cuts to Division III of the House Finance Committee which will result in drastic cuts to services provided by a network of nonprofits to support individuals and families in every community.

The proposed cuts presented by DHHS Commissioner Nicholas Toumpas address the target mandated by the House Finance Committee of $200 million per year below 2011 adjusted amounts and $346 million below the Governor's proposed budget for 2012-2013.
See proposal...
 
Commissioner Toumpas began the presentation to Division III of the House Finance Committee  stating it was unwise to make such drastic cuts in human services and provided a list of  what he termed "broad level impacts" if  the proposed changes are adopted, which included:

• Dismantle a service infrastructure that has developed over years and is vital to all citizens, not just those who receive services.
• Exacerbate the problem of access to services, especially in rural and northern areas of the state, thereby threatening federal funding statewide.
• Further weaken the economy due to scores of workers (both state employees and employees of provider organizations) being laid off in a very short period of time.
• Increase the potential for litigation.
• Lead to profound shifting of cost elsewhere in the system since the state, counties, federal government, local communities and private organizations are all braided together to provide the state's safety net.
• Increase costs due to increased institutionalization, emergency department use, etc.
• Increase costs to families of those who receive services.

Discussions will continue Wednesday morning at 9:00am around the proposed budget, with further information requested by the Division III including: details on each line item, the downshifting implications in all areas, and the approximate number of people who will be impacted.
 
The public hearing on the proposed budget will be on March 10, Thursday at 1:00pm – 3:00pm and 6:00pm – 9:00pm in Representative's Hall in the State House. Division III will ask the Chair of the full finance committee to allow the public to testify on HB 1, HB 2 and on these proposed reductions.

THIS IS THE ONLY CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD BEFORE THE HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE. Along with sector alliance partners, The Center for Nonprofits will be on hand to support those who want their voice to be heard, and to hear the further dissemination of details. We will continue to provide information and are available for consultation. For more information, contact mdufort@nhnonprofits.org.