Effect of state budget cuts on health care are still unclear

The local impacts of the 2011-2013 biennial budget cuts to the State Department of Health aren’t clear yet, Health and Human Services Director Judy Bright said.

Information released by the Washington Department of Health describes cuts to programs, but Bright said she still has not seen the specific amounts that the county will lose.

“We have no fulltime people at this time. It will be really hard to offer services with further cuts,” she said. Some services such as family planning and oral health have already been discontinued.

Statewide funding will be reduced for environmental health in the Office of Drinking Water, which oversees the activities of public water systems.

Funding for youth suicide prevention programs is reduced, though the program will continue at reduced levels.

Funding for rural health, emergency medical services and trauma, maternal and child health, and sexually transmitted disease programs is reduced.

State funds have been eliminated for general Women Infant and Children’s (WIC) services, although the program will continue with federal funds. Bright said the county’s WIC caseload has been reduced.

Funds that supported tobacco prevention and control programming, including the quit line and local community support, public awareness and tobacco prevention activities are discontinued.

Diane Cooper, director of the Family Health Center which provides medical services in Cathlamet, said the clinic is operating with a budget consistent with state funding.

“We’ve kept a sharp eye on the budget process," Cooper said. "We expect no further reductions.”

Last week, Cooper told the Wahkiakum County commissioners that the clinic had a modest positive cash flow in the first quarter of 2011.