This story was reported for San Diego News Network on May 7, 2009.
The County Board of Supervisors will vote May 12 on a proposal to discontinue a child health service at local clinics.
If passed, the proposal – drafted by the county’s Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) – will eliminate “well-child check-ups,” a service that is offered at all six government-funded clinics throughout the county.
Local agencies are under pressure to make cuts to accommodate a decrease in state funding for health care. If the board of supervisors approves the proposal, the county will save approximately $350,000, primarily in the cost of salaries and benefits, said HHSA spokesperson Carey Riccitelli.
“Keep in mind that a large part of the county funds come from the state,” Riccitelli said. “And, if the state is in a crisis, as it is now, we have to look at what we need to do. That’s the reality of it and we’re not the only county encountering this problem.”
The well-child check-up is a free service offered by the county and received by 1,500 children annually. The well-child check-up includes physical exams, vision and hearing tests, immunizations and dental screenings, among other services.
The service is offered to children younger than 21 and on Medi-Cal, children in foster care, and children in a “Head Start” program or state preschool. Although the cut will only save the county $350,000, Riccitelli said that’s still a savings.
The service will still be available for a cost, Riccitelli said – it just won’t be free. Costs for the service at each clinic will vary.
The Council of Community Clinics isn’t concerned about the cuts affecting health, said director of health policy and fund development Gary Rotto. Non-government clinics will be readied, too, for an influx of patients.
“Check-ups are certainly important and, in fact, are required by the schools,” Roto said. “The county can easily eliminate these services, and we’re working with them on that possibility.”
Rotto also said many clinics will receive stimulus funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which will help if the check-ups are eliminated from the county’s clinics.
County supervisor and chair of the board Dianne Jacob said the budget challenges facing San Diego are “unprecedented” with tough choices at hand. She also said the possible cuts aren’t limited to the health department.
“In the end, we will be a smaller government providing fewer services to fewer people,” Jacob said. “We are currently looking at every department, not just health services, in order to cut costs.”
The economic crisis hasn’t led to a dramatic increase in patients, Riccitelli said. But, the clinics have their hands full with patients fearing swine flu, or H1N1, the scientific name for the strain of influenza. Riccitelli said more children have been seen in non-government clinics for the same reason.
HHSA hasn’t considered cutting any other services – but the agency will if it has to and if the state’s budget crisis gets worse.
“Every issue is an ongoing basis,” Riccitelli said. “As we learn what the state is doing, we’ll make the cuts where necessary. But the final decision falls on them [state government].”
Hoa Quach is the political editor for the San Diego News Network.