The Department of Health (DOH) has requested $459.3 million from the general fund–state (GFS) for 2025–27, which would be an increase of 22.5% over 2023–25. DOH funding increased substantially in 2021–23 due to pandemic-related programs and enhanced funding for foundational public health. Appropriations decreased in 2023–25, but they are still 76.9% higher than 2019–21 spending (adjusted for inflation).

For 2025–27, the carry-forward level is down by $100.6 million. DOH is requesting an increase to the maintenance level of $240,000 and new policies totaling $184.8 million. (See the box at the bottom of this post for budget and fund terminology.)

The new policy requests include $45.0 million in 2025–27 and $45.0 million in 2027–29 to sustain and expand current foundational public health services. Of the total, $24 million would go to tribes. According to the foundational public health services FY 2023 investment report, the Legislature appropriated $15 million in 2017–19, $28 million in 2019–21, $175 million in 2021–23, and $324 million in 2023–25 for foundational public health services.

Other new policy requests include:

• $18.4 million in 2025–27 and $19.7 million in 2027–29 for cloud computing and storage.
• $14.0 million in 2025–27 and $17.2 million in 2027–29 to “establish a behavioral health infrastructure statewide, focusing on perinatal, infant, early childhood, and school-aged periods.”
• $18.0 million in 2025–27 from the GFS to continue environmental justice grants that were funded on a one-time basis in 2023–25 from the climate commitment account.

(Previous posts on 2025–27 agency requests are here. Our reports on the projected 2025–27 budget shortfall are here and here.)