Tulare County Supervisors OK Plan To Shutter Clinics
The Tulare County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a recommendation by county health officials to close several health clinics by July 1, the Fresno Bee reports.
County health officials said the closure of clinics in Dinuba and Porterville will save the county $1.5 million this fiscal year. Officials said the county currently faces a $3 million budget deficit and has supported the clinics over the past few years by borrowing funds from mental health and social service departments.
Patients and local officials at the meeting asked supervisors to extend the closing date by six months to ensure that patients find another provider.
Ray Bullick, director of health services, said a transition staff team immediately will begin helping patients select other local clinics to serve as primary care providers. The team will continue working four months after July 1 with patients who have not chosen a new clinic. Patients' medical records also will be transferred by the team.
Bullick said health officials plan to expand transportation services for indigent county residents (Jimenez, Fresno Bee, 4/18).