DC Council Health Committee Holds FY27 Budget Hearing and Board of Nursing Nomination on April 28, 2026

The Committee on Health, chaired by Councilmember Christina Henderson, convened a hybrid hearing on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at 12:04 PM in Room 412 of the John A. Wilson Building. The hearing first considered the nomination of Brianna Jones to the Board of Nursing, then proceeded to public witness testimony on the FY27 budget for the Department of Health (DC Health). The hearing adjourned at 4:31 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Board of Nursing Nominee Brianna Jones testified in support of her nomination, highlighting her experience as a nursing home administrator and her commitment to improving long-term care quality and workforce support.
• Alex Moore (DC Central Kitchen) urged protection of flat funding for the Healthy Corners Program and restoration of the DC Food Policy Council, warning that its elimination would harm long-term food system progress.
• Leah Caslis (Children's Law Center) opposed the complete cut to Healthy Steps funding ($1.3M) and called for restoration, noting sites were not consulted and lack time to transition to alternative funding models.
• Joseph Liu (Capital Area Food Bank) emphasized rising food insecurity (40% of DC residents) and requested continued funding for the Food Policy Council as a critical coordinator during federal SNAP changes.
• Justin Palmer (DC Hospital Association) supported investments in maternal/infant health and workforce licensing, but expressed concern over a $750,000 reduction in the high-needs health care scholarship program.
• Dr. Charlene Otley and Meredith Willette (Potomac River Clinic) described the 80% loss-to-follow-up rate for infant hearing screenings and proposed a mobile audiology unit to achieve 0% loss, citing a successful model in Oklahoma.
• Gabby Hedrick (GWU professor) opposed a $100,000 cut to farmers market support grants and the elimination of the Food Policy Council, noting their role in research and community coordination.
• Joanne Odom (MedStar Georgetown) testified that Healthy Steps funding cuts would undermine an evidence-based program that integrates behavioral health into pediatric primary care, citing high screening rates and caregiver support.
• Lakeisha Terrell (Unity Healthcare) requested sustained funding for school-based health centers, noting that reduced funding has already cut operating days and that contract status for Cardozo and Woodson sites remains unclear.
• Rachel Johnston (DC Charter School Alliance) opposed lowering school health suite credentialing requirements from licensed nurses to health techs, and called for a pilot to direct funds to schools to hire their own nurses.
• Sam Pennell (Zedek DC) supported passage and funding of the Medical Debt Mitigation Amendment Act, highlighting the need for guardrails as coverage changes increase medical debt risk.
• Savon Collie (Pet Food Institute) opposed the proposed per-product pet food registration fee as regressive and likely to reduce product availability and raise costs for consumers.
• Nick Stavely and Juanita Blessingame (Fresh Farm) requested a $400,000 increase to Produce Plus (to $2.5M total), noting 9.5% more applications in the first two weeks of 2026 and a waitlist of 2,000 in 2025.
• Richard Bibaut (Unity Healthcare) stated that the full $1.3M is needed to sustain Healthy Steps, as no viable billing strategy exists yet.
• Makila Deming (DC Coalition Against Domestic Violence) requested $60,000 to train all DC Health staff on domestic violence intervention, noting a proposed 15% cut to community health services.
• County Gillam (AFSCME Local 2725) criticized the proposed removal of $127M for future pay increases, arguing the district has $2B in reserves and that frontline workers (e.g., food inspectors, rodent control) are being stretched.
• Commissioner Jeremy Sherman and Commissioner Paula Edwards called for increased rodent control staffing and comprehensive strategies, including fertility control and better sanitation coordination.
• Victoria Roberts (Community of Hope) and Stacey Adams (parent) testified that Healthy Steps funding is critical for early childhood development and parental mental health, with Adams sharing personal success.
• Louise Calderwood (American Feed Industry Association) opposed the pet food fee, advocating for stakeholder input and voluntary funding mechanisms.
• Kashara Thomas (Joseph's House) requested $200,000 additional funding to expand medical respite and supportive housing, noting 90% of clients remain housed after discharge.
• Dr. Rochelle Logan (DC Primary Care Association) raised concerns about cuts to Healthy Steps, home visiting, and scholarship/loan repayment programs, warning of multiplied losses in federal matching funds.
• Max Broad (DC Voters for Animals) supported the Food Policy Council and urged rat control strategies centered on sanitation and contraceptives rather than poisons.

Discussion Items

• Food Access and Policy: Multiple witnesses urged restoration of funding for the DC Food Policy Council, farmers market support grants, Produce Plus, and medically tailored meals. The chair expressed support for preserving the council, possibly relocating it from the Office of Planning to DC Health.
• Healthy Steps: Dozens of witnesses across panels opposed the proposed $1.3M elimination, citing the program's proven impact on developmental screenings, caregiver depression, and adherence to well-child visits. The chair probed the feasibility of billing and collaborative care models, with witnesses confirming no sustainable billing path exists yet.
• School Health Services: Witnesses from charter schools, unions, and parents criticized the transition to DC Health-managed health suites, reporting gaps in coverage and reduced credentialing standards. The chair discussed a potential pilot to allow schools to hire their own nurses using redirected funds.
• Pet Food Registration Fee: Multiple representatives from pet food and feed associations opposed the fee as regressive and lacking stakeholder input. The chair noted concerns about implementation costs and potential market impacts, encouraging voluntary alternatives.
• Rodent Control: Commissioners and advocates requested increased staffing for the rodent and vector control division, better data collection, and coordination across agencies. The chair noted that rat-related bills are under other committees but committed to joint oversight.
• Medical Debt: The chair confirmed that the Medical Debt Mitigation Amendment Act is on the consent calendar for May 5, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• The nomination of Brianna Jones to the Board of Nursing will be considered during the committee's budget markup on May 20, 2026. The record will remain open for public comment until May 18, 2026.
• The committee will hold Part 2 of the DC Health budget oversight hearing on Monday, May 4, 2026, at 9:30 AM, with DC Health Director Dr. Ayana Bennett and her team.
• The hearing record will remain open for written testimony until 5:00 PM on May 12, 2026.
• Chair Henderson committed to exploring restoration of funding for Healthy Steps, school-based health centers, and the Food Policy Council, and to working with colleagues on rodent abatement legislation.