Departments braced for budget shortfalls

Editor's note: The following story is the first in a series on how the state budget crunch may affect local agencies and those they serve.

The North Carolina government budget crunch is causing uncertainty and concern among local health and social service agencies, as officials face the prospect of significant reductions in funding. That would likely lead to cutbacks in services and personnel here. Health Department

"We do know there will be cuts," said Danny Staley, director of the Appalachian District Health Department. "We don't know at what level or how. We're waiting to see what decisions are made."

The department serves Alleghany, Ashe and Watauga counties. Staley said, "We do know most cuts will come out of health and human services and education. They haven't given us a lot of specifics."

Some primary care hours are not available, Staley said. A half-time nurse practitioner who left has not been replaced.

He said one proposal is to eliminate Carolina Access, a managed care program for Medicaid.
 
 

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