Note: This year IFF rated maintenance bills according to a more refined system. This is an enhancement bill, and will be rated as a standalone bill. IFF will only consider enhancement line items in these ratings. This means that FTP reductions passed in maintenance legislation will not be evaluated here, among other things.
Bill Description: House Bill 920 is an enhancement of $900,000 and 2.50 new full-time positions for Health Education programs for fiscal year 2027. This legislation appropriates a total of $30,222,900 and 48.46 full-time positions to the agency.
Rating: -2
Is the continuation or growth in ongoing spending, if any, inappropriate for the changes in circumstances, scope of the agency, or current economic environment? Conversely, is the continuation or growth in ongoing spending appropriate given any change in circumstances or economic pressures?
This legislation authorizes an ongoing spending enhancement for Health Education Programs of $900,000, adding onto last year’s (FY26) ongoing spending increase of $954,500. FY26’s ongoing spending is wrapped into FY27’s base increase, making ongoing spending especially important to scrutinize. Volatility in these increases (or decreases) is to be expected, and makes discernment on the propriety of new spending imperative.
This legislation includes increases for Psychiatry Residents ($240,000 GF), a new Burley Resident ($60,000 GF), increases in Family Medicine OB/GYN Fellowship ($60,000 GF), Family Medicine Residencies ($360,000 GF), and Child Psychiatry Residents ($180,000 GF). These increases to state-subsidized residencies are unwarranted, especially so in a deficit year.
(-1)
Does the budget grow government through the addition of new, objectionable, permanent FTPs or through funding unlegislated efforts to create new or expanded existing programs? Conversely, does this budget reduce the size of government staff and programs except where compelled by new legislation?
This legislation would increase overall FTP count by 2.50. This includes 1.00 FTP for an additional Burley resident and 1.50 FTP for WIMU adjustments. Additionally, some medical residents are not considered state employees even though they are funded by this set of programs.
(-1)
