Local Health Departments are being Forced to Modify Public Health Programs after a Slew of Federal Budget Cuts. Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health, in Bismarck, ND, is among those Affected.
Bismarck-Burleigh Public Health Director Renae Moch said they’re scrambling. She said they were Notified that the Department would be Losing nearly $200,000 in Federal Funding on March 25th, One day after the Change took effect.
“We had contracts for services with plans and dates that we were working through and abiding by. Congress Approved the Funds to be used for what they were being used for, so just the Abrupt Stop to All of that is what is most concerning,” Moch said.
She said they’re Stopping their Free COVID-19 Test Kit Program, as well as their Immunization Outreach Program, which lets Public Health Employees visit places like Schools to Administer Vaccines. She said Research Programs will also be Affected, as well as some Disease Outbreak Monitoring efforts.
“The need is still there, but the funding support for that is not. So, that has been challenging, to try and take a look at what we can do differently, what we can adjust,” Moch said. Plans for a Community Triage Center are also being Delayed, if Not Halted entirely.
Moch said it was going to be a Place where Mental Health and related Emergencies could be addressed to Free-Up space in ERs and Jails.
Those who need Help with Substance Abuse Disorders, or Wwho don’t have Homes, also would have been able to find Help at the Triage Center, but now will have to look elsewhere.
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