Panelists Discuss Fiscal Strain for County Health Programs
During a forum held last week by the Humboldt Chapter of Health Care for All, panelists discussed how the state budget affects county health programs. Phillip Smith-Hanes, Humboldt County administrative officer, said the county currently pays about $2 million annually to provide indigent care for residents who do not qualify for state health insurance programs. David Welch -- member of the board of directors for the California Nurses Association -- suggested that adopting a single-payer health care system could reduce state spending by as much as $5 billion annually.
- "Forum Brings Budget Crisis Into Focus; Panelist Says Health Care a Major Part of Problem" (Greenson, Humboldt Times-Standard, 10/8).