Action Alert #7: House Appropriations to Review LDH FY26 Budget

Key Issues in the FY26 LDH Budget

On Tuesday, April 8th, at 8:30 AM, the Louisiana Department of Health’s (LDH) proposed budget for Fiscal Year 26 (beginning July 1) will be presented to House Appropriations. (Agenda). LaCAN and the Council will be advocating for the following issues to be funded this session:

1. Recurring Funding for Families Helping Families Regional Resource Centers
   • During the last four legislative sessions, $500,000 was added to the Council’s budget specifically for FHF Centers. Unfortunately, the Council’s request to include this funding in its Fiscal Year 26 (FY26) budget was denied yet again. If this funding is not restored, Center funding from the Council will be cut in half.
2. Protect Disability Services
   • Home- and community-based services (HCBS) are the lifeline of so many people with disabilities and the elderly which is why we must ensure our service delivery system is protected from cuts. This past fall, it was reported Louisiana was facing a fiscal cliff for FY26. Fortunately, the legislature met in November and addressed the fiscal cliff. However, there are still many unknowns that could impact disability services such as potential cuts to Medicaid at the federal level and the failure of Constitutional Amendment 2 last month. What we do know is any reduction to the state’s revenue and/or operating budget could mean cuts to disability services.

If you feel any of these issues are important and should be considered in the budget, let the committee members know, and join us for Yellow Shirt Day!

How to Take Action

Share your personal story with the House Appropriations Committee and explain how you or someone you know has been impacted by FHF Regional Resource Centers and/ or would like to discuss the importance of protecting disability services.
Email or call the Chair and members of the House Appropriations Committee before the committee meets Tuesday, April 8th

• Find your member(s) of the House Appropriations Committee at the end of this alert.
  • With your comments, please include your name, address, phone number, email address, and let them know the specific issue(s) you are writing about.
  • Don’t forget to thank the Chair and members for considering the needs of the disability community.

Email [email protected] your public comments about the budget before the committee meets Tuesday, April 8th

• With your comments, please include your name, address, phone number, email address, and let them know the specific issue(s) you are writing about.
• Don’t forget to thank the committee for considering the needs of the disability community.

Attend Yellow Shirt Day

• Tuesday , April 8th at 8:30 AM
• Louisiana State Capitol – House Committee Room 5
• Be sure to arrive early so you can get a seat in the committee room

If you plan to attend Yellow Shirt Day, want to meet with your legislator(s), need a yellow shirt or want to find out about carpooling options, contact your LaCAN Leader.

Can’t make it for Yellow Shirt Day? You can watch the committee meeting(s) live from the legislature’s website. When the meeting is in progress, click the camera icon to access the broadcast.

Save the Date

Public Testimony on the proposed FY26 budget will be held in the House Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, April 15th. If you are interested in providing testimony before the committee on one of the issues above, please reach out to your LaCAN Leader.

Confirm Your Action

• Email your LaCAN Leader after you take action
• Why confirm your action? This helps the Council know how effective we are reaching you with important information and engaging members across our state in advocacy for systems change.

Tips & Tools for Advocacy
Looking for tips and tools to help you in your advocacy? Check out the Council’s Advocacy 101 page.
You can also find tips for:

• Writing/emailing your legislators
• Calling your legislators
• Writing your story