Public Health Agencies Weigh Cuts in Riverside, San Bernardino Counties
On May 4, Riverside County will hold a public hearing to discuss proposed service reductions as part of an effort to cut $5 million from the county public health department's budget for fiscal year 2009-2010, the Riverside Press-Enterprise reports.
Under state law, a hearing must be held before public health services can be reduced.
Cuts under consideration include:
- Eliminating night and weekend hours at county clinics;
- Cutting back on the length of physical therapy sessions for children with disabilities; and
- Holding some children's physical therapy services in groups rather than on an individual basis.
Susan Harrington, the county's public health department director, said cutting clinic hours would mean 20,000 fewer clinic appointments.
San Bernardino County
Meanwhile, San Bernardino County Department of Public Health Director Jim Lindley said his department would cut its $97 million budget for FY 2009-2010 by 8%.
He said the department planned for the cuts by reorganizing its operations, including its executive team.
The agency did not reduce services (Hines, Riverside Press-Enterprise, 4/22).
This is part of the California Healthline Daily Edition, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.