D.C. Councilmember David Catania (At-Large), Chairman of the Committee on Health, secured unanimous approval for the budgets of the Departments of Health and Mental Health at a meeting April 27, 2005.

While the Committee ultimately agreed with the Mayor's requests for over $1.7 billion for the Department of Health, and nearly $220 million for the Department of Mental Health, a thorough examination of each line item identified certain expenditures that the Committee viewed as unnecessary.

"This is a plan that addresses many of the needs expressed at oversight and budget hearings earlier this year," Catania said. "We've looked deep into the numbers to reappropriate nearly $25 million in underutilized funds in order to protect and promote health in the District of Columbia."

Specific recommendations are highlighted below and the draft Committee report may be viewed by following the link to the Committee on Health at www.davidcatania.com.

For more information, please contact the Office of Councilmember David Catania by calling 202-724-7772.

Health Committee Budget Highlights

$1.8 million in additional funds to expand the AccessRx Prescription Drug Program.

$1,000,000 to develop training programs for allied health services with Southeastern University in partnership with the Service Employees International Union.

$5 million to promote better management of the Department of Health through special programs developed in collaboration with The George Washington University School of Public Health.

$500,000 to fund the Healthcare Ombudsman Program to improve access and quality-of-care to District residents.

$1 million to provide access to care and substance abuse treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS through the Choice in Drug Treatment Program.

$1 million to combat substance abuse among mental health consumers.

$500,000 for Food and Friends to expand clinical nutrition support to adults and children with HIV/AIDS and other life-threatening illnesses.

$150,000 for Transgender Health Empowerment, Inc to expand client support services for transgendered individuals.

$332,000 to integrate comprehensive HIV/AIDS education and prevention services within the District's correctional facilities.

$500,000 to expand mental health services available at D.C. Jail.

$400,000 to establish a comprehensive tobacco cessation program in the District of Columbia administered by the D.C. American Lung Association.

$250,000 to increase access to prostate cancer screening and treatment in collaboration with Howard University.

$250,000 to increase access to breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer screening and treatment at Greater Southeast Community Hospital.

$75,000 to expand diabetes screening, treatment, and prevention education to District residents in collaboration with Howard University.

$100,000 to develop an organ and tissue donor registry in the District of Columbia and educate residents about organ donation and transplantation.

$500,000 to expand immunization services in partnership with the School Based Health Initiative and Children's National Medical Center.

$1.4 million to enhance and expand school-based mental health services from 26 schools to 41 schools.

$1.5 million to expand access to preventative dental services - including cleanings, sealants, and bitewings - for children enrolled in the District's Medicaid Managed Care Program.

$250,000 to support the District of Columbia Birth Center, Inc (DC Birth Center) and the critical work they do within the community, including parental education and postpartum counseling.

$3 million to establish a mandatory living wage of the District's Medicaid home care workers to $10.50 per hour.

$1.5 million to increase the number of personal aids participating in the District's Home and Community Based Waiver, also known as the Elderly and Physically Disabled Persons (EPD) waiver.