Public health services in Kern County are at risk of budget cuts. County leaders held a hearing to discuss the potential impact it will have on the community and county workers. The hearing served as a continuation of discussions regarding the budget proposal, specifically aimed at reducing the medical services offered by Kern County Public Health.
Community members voiced their concerns, highlighting that these cuts will not only affect county employees but will also lead to diminished access to services for the entire community and a decreasing public health workforce.
Iliana Rivera is a nurse practitioner, and she says, “Public health should be a service that is offered to all community residents and every community in the United States. And the fact that we are trying to cut it significantly in an area that’s already underserved — we already don’t have enough providers — it’s just going to further impact our health.”…