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Q&A
Council Member Schulman questions DOHMH on sexual health clinic funding and staffing
3:36:18
·
110 sec
Council Member Lynn Schulman inquires about the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's funding and staffing for sexual health clinics, including new allocations, hiring plans, and potential federal funding cuts. Acting Commissioner Michelle Morse provides details on the $3.8 million allocation for FY 2026 and its intended use.
- The funding will support 21 new staff positions and expand rapid STI testing services.
- New express clinics are planned for the Bronx and Queens, as required by recent legislation.
- There are risks to federal funding for sexual health services, which are part of a larger $600 million federal funding package.
Lynn Schulman
3:36:18
The executive plan includes additional city funding of $3,800,000 in fiscal twenty twenty six only with an increased headcount of 21 to support sexual health clinics.
3:36:28
This funding will support the Maurizena and Corona locations and cover testing reagents, testing kits and medical supplies.
3:36:36
How many clinics are currently open and what is the total headcount?
Michelle Morse
3:36:39
Yes, we are really looking forward to being able to use the funds, the $3,800,000 in FY twenty six to continue to expand our quickie rapid STI testing.
3:36:55
That $3,800,000 also includes about 21 headcount for our sexual health clinics.
3:37:02
Those staff of course will be involved in both the testing as well as management of patients for our sexual health clinics.
3:37:09
And so we're really looking forward to being able to begin the implementation there.
3:37:13
This will allow us to launch the express clinics in the Bronx and Queens specifically as was required by the law that was passed and this funding is however for FY '26 only.
Lynn Schulman
3:37:26
Okay.
3:37:27
Are you currently hiring sexual health personnel with the new funding?
Michelle Morse
3:37:31
We hope to be able to start doing that as of July 1.
Lynn Schulman
3:37:36
And are there any plans for any potential federal funding cuts related to sexual health or you're still, that's all part of everything else?
Michelle Morse
3:37:44
It is all, there is funding for our sexual health services within that $600,000,000 of federal funding that we have.
3:37:51
So yes there are risks to federal funding for sexual health.
3:37:56
And then I did want to go back for mobile food vending.
3:38:00
It looks like it's the 2,800,000.0, but there's not additional headcount that's allocated.
Lynn Schulman
3:38:05
There isn't, okay.
3:38:07
Alright.