Health Budget Discrepancies Under Probe

The House of Representatives has mandated its Public Accounts and Expenditure Committee to investigate the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning’s Budget Bureau for Maryland County.

The concern was raised following the discovery of discrepancies in the FY2026 health budget allocations for Maryland County.

The decision was reached recently after the submission of a formal communication from the county Electoral District #3 Representative, Austin Blidi Taylor. 

Rep. Taylor requested Plenary to invite the director of the budget bureau to provide clarity regarding inconsistencies between the FY2026 National Budget, which lawmakers approved.

Taylor said, flyers distributed in the county contain health budget allocations that significantly differ from the budget the 55^th Legislature enacted.

The issue created uncertainty among county authorities, healthcare workers, and residents ahead of the implementation of the FY2026 budget.

Taylor said, among the discrepancies were the total health allocation for the county, with the enacted budget, which reflected US$490,000, while the circulated flyer indicates US$450,000.

For example, Glofaken Health Center, which received an approved allocation of US$50,000 in the enacted budget, is listed with no allocation in the flyer.

Taylor said, the flyer includes Gble-bo Health Center with an allocation of US$25,000, although county authorities have confirmed that no such health facility exists in the county.

While Pleebo Health Center, which received no allocation in the enacted budget, is listed with US$75,000 in the circulated document, and the Manolu Health Center, which was approved for US$110,000 under the enacted budget, is shown with no allocation in the flyer.

In view of the concerns, Rep. Taylor has requested that the director of the budget bureau appear before the House within 72 hours to explain the legal basis, process, and authority for any post-enactment adjustments made to the county’s health budget allocations.

Additionally, Taylor requested the submission of a certified copy of the official FY2026 budget allotment and execution schedule for Maryland County health sector.

Following deliberations, the House mandated its Public Accounts and Expenditure Committee to investigate the matter, and engage the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning’s Budget Bureau to establish the facts surrounding the reported discrepancies.

The Committee is expected to conduct its inquiry and report findings and recommendations to Plenary for further legislative action.