A plan to eliminate about half of Pennsylvania's state health centers could mean the closing of several offices in our region.
Governor Tom Corbett's budget proposal calls for eliminating 26 of 60 health centers across the state.
The health department says the Blair County office would be consolidated with Huntingdon, the functions of the Fulton County office would move to Bedford, Mifflin County would be served by the health center in Juniata County, and the Somerset office would be covered by the Cambria County facility.
State officials say the private sector now offers many of the services previously provided by the health centers, and and that 77-percent of the funds used for operations now goes for leases, not services.
Governor Tom Corbett's budget proposal calls for eliminating 26 of 60 health centers across the state.
The health department says the Blair County office would be consolidated with Huntingdon, the functions of the Fulton County office would move to Bedford, Mifflin County would be served by the health center in Juniata County, and the Somerset office would be covered by the Cambria County facility.
State officials say the private sector now offers many of the services previously provided by the health centers, and and that 77-percent of the funds used for operations now goes for leases, not services.
Charlotte Ames is the area's only local Health Reporter and brings you the latest medical health news weeknights. You can catch Healthcast on WTAJ News at 5:00pm and her Health Headlines report on WTAJ News at 5:30pm.