Budget cuts threaten Nebraska’s essential health services

Nebraska may face big cuts to its healthcare funding if a new bill, LB 261, passes. This bill could reduce the budget by $4.5 million, a cut of 37%. These cuts would directly impact health departments across the state, affecting many critical health services.

How the budget cuts will Impact health services and staff

Dr. Lindsay Huse, the Director of the Douglas County Health Department, explains how the cuts will hurt local health services. “This budget funding goes to programs like immunizations and dental health,” she says. “It’s vital for many services that directly help people in our communities.”

In Douglas County alone, $1.9 million of that funding is used. A large part of this budget money goes toward paying staff. Dr. Huse explains, “Most of that money pays the salaries of the people doing the work. These workers are essential to protecting our community. If we lose them, the work can’t get done.”

Douglas County faces serious funding and staffing issues

Douglas County is already underfunded compared to other counties. Right now, the county spends $35.70 per person on public health. But the average amount spent in similar counties is $68 per person. This gap in funding means that many programs are at risk due to the limited budget, and it could leave the health department struggling to keep up with the growing demands.

Dr. Huse fears the cut could result in the loss of key programs. These include services like emergency response to natural disasters, disease surveillance, and even free health screenings for children and the elderly. Without enough budget funds, the county might be unable to respond quickly to health emergencies or provide basic health services to those in need.

How budget cuts could impact emergency response and community health

The timing of this proposed budget cut is troubling. Nebraska is already facing a tough flu season. The state is also dealing with bird flu and a measles outbreak outside of the state. Dr. Huse worries that losing budget funding would weaken the ability to respond to these health threats.

She says, “We need this funding to respond to emergencies, like tornadoes. Without it, we won’t be able to provide the protection that people in the community need. It will challenge our ability to contain health issues like the flu and bird flu.”

Health programs and services at risk

Programs that support public health may also face cuts. These programs help with air quality monitoring, disease prevention, and health education. Rural health departments will likely be hit hardest. In many rural areas, the local health department is the only place people can go for essential health services due to limited budget resources.

Dr. Huse explains the situation for people in rural communities: “For many people, the health department is their only access to basic services. It’s the only place to get childhood vaccines or dental health screenings. Some families have to drive hours to get a blood pressure check or other basic healthcare. The local health department, with its limited budget, makes these services more accessible.”

Exploring other options to keep programs going

If the budget cuts go through, the Douglas County Health Department is looking for other ways to keep programs running. Dr. Huse says they are exploring grants and other funding options to make up for the lost budget funds. The department will do its best to maintain services that protect the community.

Dr. Huse is preparing to testify about the proposed bill. She will travel to Lincoln for a hearing on Monday, where she will be joined by other healthcare professionals. Together, they will educate lawmakers about how these budget cuts will impact local health services and the people who rely on them.