Health Department to eliminate 123 positions
By: Import User
Updated: January 7, 2009
The Arkansas Health Department says a budget shortfall is forcing it to cut 123 positions. Most of the positions
are vacant but 38 people will lose their jobs next month.
The department says some of its programs have been costing more than they have been taking in, forcing the cuts. The agency is facing a deficit of five-point-three-five (m) million dollars.
Health Department Director Fay Boozman says the number of people
making clinic visits to health department offices has dropped. That
trend reduces the amount of money the agency gets in reimbursement money.
Boozman says more children are getting care through the ARKids First Program and more private physicians are providing immunizations and seeing more Medicaid patients.
Boozman says those trends are good for health in the state but hard on the department`s budget.
