JACKSON COUNTY, MS (WLOX) -
The West Jackson County Health Clinic won't be providing medical service to residents anytime soon. State officials say a 40 percent budget cut from the county has forced them to cut operating hours and move most of the services to Pascagoula. Those who take advantage of the program are not pleased.
Cindy Boone got a big surprise Monday when she showed up at the West Jackson County Health Department. The door was locked and signs were posted stating that the health department will no longer serve patients five days a week at that location.
"I think it is very important to the people that live here, especially to the people that are disabled and have problems getting here," Boone said.
At Monday's Jackson County Board of Supervisors board meeting in Pascagoula, Health Clinic Administrator David Caulfield told supervisors that cutting services was the only choice. The county cut its funding from $500,000 to $300,000. State support has dwindled as well.
"We just got to the point that there are no other funding sources to allow us to make up the difference," Caulfield said. "We are not providing any kind of medical services, immunizations, family planning clinics."
The only services the Ocean Springs location will be providing are WIC services on Wednesdays and Thursdays. The other folks with needs will now have to visit the Health Department office in Pascagoula.
"It just one of those cases that everyone is suffering right now," Supervisor John McKay said.
The board has agreed to add another $100,000 in funding spread out over the rest of the year. That will allow services to continue at the Pascagoula office, but it's not enough to keep the Ocean Springs office open five days a week.
"Hopefully, as the economy rebounds and we have more money coming into Jackson County, we will be able to open it up on a full time basis," McKay said.
Until then, clients like Boone will have to travel farther for healthcare.
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