The proposed budget for the 2017 fiscal year starting July 1, 2016 directs $2.59 billion from the general fund to the Department of Community Health, excluding money for attached agencies. This is an increase of $157 million, or 6.5 percent, compared to the 2016 budget, though $46.5 million of that is due to the transfer of a program from another state agency. The budget also includes $552 million from other appropriated state funds, as well as $7.4 billion in federal funds. Other money included in the department’s budget total $3.7 billion, including funding for the State Health Benefit Plan and transfers from public hospitals used to leverage federal money.

New GBPI/UGA Poll Shows Georgians Support State Investments to Boost Health, Education, and Economic Mobility
A new poll commissioned by the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute (GBPI) and the University