DHS overview identifies challenges ahead

A lack of bipartisan cooperation was one of the health care challenges cited by Human Services Commissioner Emily Piper during an overview presentation to the House Health and Human Services Finance Committee Thursday.

Piper said carrying forward the state’s legacy of bipartisan cooperation to resolve health care problems was challenged by the looming repeal of the Affordable Care Act, and the projected loss of $2 billion in federal funding that would result without a program to replace it.

Dave Greeman, budget director for the Human Services Department, told members health care costs would continue to rise with the state’s Medical Assistance program – specifically long-term care and home and community based services – driving the majority of the growth in spending. 

WATCH Full video of the meeting