Local Health Departments United Against State Budget Cuts
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 24, 2009
Contact
Lori A. Holmes, Public Relations
(217) 531-2927
Local Health Departments United Against State Budget Cuts
Local Communities May Lose Essential Public Health Services
Champaign, IL - A press conference addressing the local health department funding crisis will be held Thursday, June 25, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. in the main conference room at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District located at 201 Kenyon Road in Champaign. The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District, Dewitt-Piatt Bi-County Health Department, Vermilion County Health Department, Ford-Iroquois Health Department, and Douglas County Health Department will convene this special press conference to announce their combined concerns on potential State budget cuts and the adverse effects on essential public health services in local communities.
Included in the proposed State budget cuts is the Local Health Protection Grant, which supports all local health departments with the costs associated with critical health protection programs including food safety inspections and infectious disease surveillance. The current subsidy to local health departments in Illinois is approximately $17 million, or just over $1.42 per capita statewide. Any reduction of funding in this grant would result in the elimination or suspension of many public health protection services that many communities rely heavily upon.
Current economic challenges have resulted in an increased demand for services provided by local health departments including Maternal & Child Health programs, immunizations, health screenings, and access to dental care. Public health programs are integral in providing a safety net system for families at risk, while providing leadership in responding to the health needs of their communities at large.
“Public Health provides essential services to everyone in Illinois” said, Julie A. Pryde, Public Health Administrator for the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District (CUPHD). “The proposed State budget cuts illustrate a distinct short-sighted view by Illinois legislators, especially in the wake of the current global pandemic. We implore legislators to collaborate on alternative fiduciary solutions which will not jeopardize the health, safety and well-being of every man, woman and child in Illinois.”
The State of Illinois is facing some extreme challenges in the development of a financial plan for Fiscal Year 2010. In this era of dwindling state resources, any proposed spending policy should be based on established priorities. The protection of the health for all Illinois citizens must be included in those budget priorities.
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