Lawmakers Complain about Lack of DHSS Budget Info

Some state lawmakers have expressed frustration with a lack of information on how across-the-board federal budget cuts will affect Alaska Department of Health and Social Services programs.

During a hearing this week in Fairbanks, legislators complained the state's deputy health commissioner, Ree Sailors, was providing vague information. The purpose of the House Finance subcommittee hearing was to help lawmakers get a better handle on the department's multibillion-dollar budget.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports legislators calmed down after Legislative Finance Division Director David Teal said there's a lot the departments still don't know about the impact of the budget cuts, known as the sequester.

Sailors estimated Alaska would receive $4 million less in federal funds but said many of the impacts remained unclear since the cuts haven't been completed.