Health care providers explain why they deserve Macon-Bibb’s funding

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A few representatives from Health care providers in Macon-Bibb County met with a few commissioners Thursday morning.

Navicent Health, the Department of Public Health and Division of Family and Children Services all get funding from the county’s general fund. The commission has tossed the idea around of making up to 30% in cuts to outside agencies.

All representatives spoke on how much they rely on the county’s contribution to its organizations.

“We’re basically just asking that we don’t be cut,” said Beverlyn Ming, with the Department of Public Health.

Ming, Shannon Fields with the Division of Family and Children Services and Nikki Randall and Bryan Forlines with Navicent Health all stated that their departments need the county’s funding.

“When we have vacancies and you’re asking our workers to do more and more on a daily basis it gets to be challenge for them,” said Fields.

The Division of Family and Children Services relies on $800,000 from the county to help hire more employees.

“Right now it’s difficult because we’re in a state budget crunch,” said Fields.

Navicent Health provides $25 million in indigent care in Bibb County.

“Last year, the county commission was able to fund $451,000 of that. That left us at a 25-million dollar shortfall,” said Forlines. “While this is a small pot of money, every single dollar we take in is important to us. We’re a business just like anybody else.

The Department of Public Health relies on the $630,000 from the county as well.

“Starting FY 19, the Health Department will lose 626,000,” said Ming.

She says it’s all because of a loss in grant funding due to the population.

“We’re not asking any more, more would be greater, but we’re not asking for any more,” said Ming. “So we’re just hoping that we won’t lose what we currently have.”

According to the Vice-Chairman of the Operations and Finance Committee, it’s still too early to make a decision on what cuts will be made.

The committee will meet next Tuesday with Planning and Zoning, Industrial Authority, and Urban Development Authority.

Macon-Bibb County has to make serious budget cuts by June, to balance out a projected $10 million deficit.