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Council Member Lynn Schulman's opening remarks on DOHMH's FY 2026 executive budget hearing
2:27:13
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149 sec
Council Member Lynn Schulman, chair of the NYC Council's Committee on Health, delivers opening remarks for the fiscal year 2026 executive budget hearing for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH). She outlines the budget totals, key areas of funding, and expresses concerns about potential federal funding cuts to health programs.
- DOHMH's FY 2026 budget totals $2.3 billion, with $1.4 billion for public health services
- Schulman highlights concerns about federal funding cuts, including a potential $100 million cut to infectious disease programs
- She expresses interest in discussing DOHMH's plans for vaccination research, HIV/AIDS support, and high-profile public health programs
Lynn Schulman
2:27:13
Thank you, chair Brannan.
2:27:15
Good afternoon.
2:27:16
I am council member Lynn Schulman, chair of the New City Council's Committee on Health.
2:27:20
Thank you all for joining us at the fiscal twenty twenty six executive budget hearing for the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.
2:27:26
I would like to thank finance chair Justin Brannen for joining me for this joint hearing.
2:27:30
I would also like to thank acting commissioner doctor Michelle Morse and the other members of the administration who are here with us today.
2:27:37
DOHMH's fiscal twenty twenty six executive budget totals $2,300,000,000, which represents approximately 2% of the city's budget.
2:27:47
This budget includes 1,400,000,000 for the city's public health services and comprises $490,000,000 for personnel services and $928,000,000 for other than personal services.
2:27:59
The fiscal twenty twenty six budget for public health is about $87,000,000 greater than the fiscal twenty twenty five adopted budget, largely attributed to the additional $68,500,000 to cover costs for school based contract nurses and an additional $10,000,000 for the groceries to go program.
2:28:16
The budget includes an additional hundred and $42,000,000 in city funds, but it also includes reductions in state and federal funds, $31,000,000 and $25,000,000 respectively.
2:28:28
In this budget, federal funding represents 20% of DOHMH for fiscal twenty twenty six.
2:28:34
As we heard, the federal government is considering multiple cuts to health programs including a hundred million dollar grant for infectious disease programs to New York City.
2:28:43
The committee is concerned about the damage their action could cause to the city's public health landscape and I am eager to find out about DOHMH's plan plans to protect these vital programs.
2:28:53
We have also heard concerning rhetoric from the federal government regarding vaccines.
2:28:57
I would like to hear about DOHMH's plan to maintain its cutting edge vaccination research and vaccine distribution capabilities in the face of federal threats.
2:29:06
In addition, we will seek clarity about the future of DOHMH's funding levels to support people living with HIV and AIDS as well as the Department of Sexual Health Services portfolio more broadly.
2:29:18
Among other topics, I am also eager to discuss the progress of some of DOHMH's high profile public health programs including the citywide diabetes reduction plan, healthy NYC, and maternal health.
2:29:30
Before we begin, I would like to thank the finance and legislative division staff for their support.
2:29:36
Finally, I would also like to thank my staff Jonathan Boucher, Kevin McAleer, and Abigail Zucker.
2:29:41
I will now turn it back to chair Brannan.