Health and Community budget cuts protested

San Juan County has just begun its annual budget process and the outlook for all County services is grim. The County has felt the pressure of the weakened economy and needs to make adjustments to its spending. Many of us are already cutting back on discretionary spending like travel and entertainment, economizing on necessary expenses such as transportation, shopping more diligently for bargains and, for some, reducing spending on essential requirements like food, heat and medication. For many people, reduction in spending on essentials is the only recourse available. These are the same people who must also depend on the County to make their lives bearable. These people are the most vulnerable in our community, generally elderly, often not in good health, in need of medications, lacking transportation, occasionally requiring assistance for daily tasks and frequently unable to make ends meet. These are the people who will be severely affected by the proposed 23.1 percent reduction in Health and Community Services. The County has proposed to reduce the few services it now provides to these members of our communities. For example: elimination of transportation for seniors; reduction of congregate senior meals; reduction of nursing staff/clinic hours: elimination of immunizations/vaccinations; reduced nurse home visits and travel assistance to Medicaid clients; and finally, reduced staffing at our Senior Centers. Each of the items I mention is a line item for reduction in the County Administrators 2009 Budget Proposal.

San Juan County has just begun its annual budget process and the outlook for all County services is grim. The County has felt the pressure of the weakened economy and needs to make adjustments to its spending. Many of us are already cutting back on discretionary spending like travel and entertainment, economizing on necessary expenses such as transportation, shopping more diligently for bargains and, for some, reducing spending on essential requirements like food, heat and medication. For many people, reduction in spending on essentials is the only recourse available. These are the same people who must also depend on the County to make their lives bearable. These people are the most vulnerable in our community, generally elderly, often not in good health, in need of medications, lacking transportation, occasionally requiring assistance for daily tasks and frequently unable to make ends meet. These are the people who will be severely affected by the proposed 23.1 percent reduction in Health and Community Services. The County has proposed to reduce the few services it now provides to these members of our communities. For example: elimination of transportation for seniors; reduction of congregate senior meals; reduction of nursing staff/clinic hours: elimination of immunizations/vaccinations; reduced nurse home visits and travel assistance to Medicaid clients; and finally, reduced staffing at our Senior Centers. Each of the items I mention is a line item for reduction in the County Administrators 2009 Budget Proposal.

While I recognize that this County must, like the rest of us, tighten its belt in the face of the economic downturn, there are certain services at which a cutback line must be drawn. I hope that you would agree with me that these proposed reductions to Health and Community Services crosses that line. Most of us don’t need these services, but for those that do, they are essential.

I urge you to write, call, or email your County Council member and the County Administrator and let them know where you stand on this issue. You can reach them by email at: council@co.san-juan.wa.us

Sincerely,

Wally Logan

Orcas