The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department is facing cuts in its services to the public if the Legislature can't reach a compromise on a new budget by next week. A partial shutdown of state government that would occur without a budget approval would also puts local public health services at risk, officials said. If the Legislature fails to pass a budget by the deadline of June 30, the immediate impact on Pierce County's health department would be a 38 percent reduction in state and federal pass-through grants that support the agency's $31 million budget. So last week, in preparation for the possible funding cut, the department notified 29 of employees that they will be laid off at least temporarily on July 1. "Our community members will experience an interruption in important services that protect their health and safety unless our legislators pass a state budget by June 30,GÇ¥ said Dr. Anthony L-T Chen, health director. "One-third of our staff will be affected, and one in nine will be laid off. We respectfully ask our legislators to pass a budget so we can return our focus to serving our residents." If the state government shutdown of all but essential public safety services occurs, Pierce County will experience a suspension of public health services such as: " Monitoring for sewage contamination in marine waters and for water quality at lakes and recreational beaches. " Inspecting public water systems to ensure safe sources of drinking water. " Investigation of sexually transmitted diseases;. " Responses to hazardous-chemical spills and drug lab-contaminated property. " And nursing and support services for new mothers and their infants. Grants from state departments of Health, Ecology and Social and Health Services, as well as the Health Care Authority, support the local public health services. Chen said preparing for the possibility of a shutdown also comes with a price. The Health Department estimates staff members have invested more than 100 hours of time determining impacts of a state shutdown and developing contingency plans. If a layoff occurs, the agency may suffer an increase in future unemployment insurance premium rates, he noted. "Even a temporary layoff causes a discontinuation or curtailing of services in 11 of our programs, and this puts our community's public health at risk,GÇ¥ said Chen. "This budget uncertainty creates a difficult work environment and is a distraction from important work.GÇ¥ If any shutdown lasts longer than two weeks, Chen said, the department would have to lay off more people effective July 15. A shutdown would also impact community partners who receive funding from the state, causing further damage to health services' s"safety net," Chen said.
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