Association says health departments in jeopardy after governor’s withholding

Some state officials are saying Missourians could be at risk because of a lack of money.

The Missouri Public Health Association has asked Governor Jay Nixon to release more than $3.3 million for public health that he’s currently withholding from the state budget.

This letter claims the money is critically needed. And a spokesman said without it, Missourians may not be prepared to fight an outbreak, whether that be the flu or measles or Ebola.

Bert Malone, Chair of Advocacy for the Association, told ABC 17 News this withholding means major cutbacks to our first line of defense: local health departments.

“Those funds are critical to our public health agencies and without them, as indicated in the letter, there are going to be some agencies severely strapped,” Malone said.

He said some of those cutbacks are already happening in the form of cutting back hours, laying off employees. And it could mean vaccines and treatments for infectious diseases may not be available.

“The action being taken now of laying off staff at already strapped public health work forces and cutting back on hours… we’ll be seriously jeopardizing the ability to protect the health of the public,” Malone said. “Hard decisions will have to be made about what services will be provided at a local level.”

Malone argued this cutback isn’t wise for the future because if the local health departments aren’t able to provide these services to keep Missourians healthy, the responsibility will fall to the state.

ABC 17 News reached out to the Governor’s office to find out why these funds are being withheld and if they will be released.

They sent this statement, saying: “The State of Missouri, through the Department of Health and Senior Services has been working with local hospitals and public health agencies and is fully prepared to protect Missourians from infectious diseases, including Ebloa, if it were to arrive in Missouri. It is important to note that revenue is limited and the Governor has a responsibility to keep the budget in balance. Spending restrictions were necessary this year after the General Assembly passed a budget that was nearly $800 million out of balance. The Governor will continue to monitor the budget situation and release funds if possible as revenue becomes available.”

There is still federal money available, but that is allocated on a year-to-year basis so there is no way of knowing if it will remain the same or decrease next year.