ENTERPRISE – The Wallowa County Public Health Department is forced to make cuts due to a reduction in state funding dollars and overall revenues.

The latest round of cutting has resulted in a 15-percent reduction in work hours and pay for the department’s three employees. During the past three years, the county health department has endured funding cuts that have forced a reduction in staff from five full-time positions down to two-and-a-half.

The county’s health department revenues for the current fiscal year are approximately $192,000, down from $277,000 for the 2011-2012 fiscal year, according to department administrator/nurse Laina Fisher.

Fisher said the largest funding cuts were due to the loss of a $32,500 grant from the state; a $4,800 cut to preparedness-related services; and a $2,600 cut to the Oregon’s Mothers Care program. While the department missed out on the large grant this year, there is an opportunity to apply again in February for the next fiscal year.

Revenue is down also because the department is receiving less in patient fees and insurance reimbursement from sources including Medicaid and the Oregon Health Plan.

In order to maintain certain services, the department employees have taken on additional roles and shifted duties. The employees have had their benefits pro-rated, resulting in a 15-percent increase in their health insurance costs. They have also agreed to do without a one-dollar-per-hour reimbursement payment for staying on-call during off-work hours. The department’s three employees are still maintaining the 24-hour on-call status, but will see about $6,000 less pay in their pockets for the year.

“The health department employees have done a good job of working out a way to keep services. They’ve done everything they can to make sure county residents still have access to services,” county commissioner Susan Roberts said.

“We’re trying to offer multiple services under the current programs,” Fisher said. “Along with combining some services, we’re providing referral services to connect people with other service providers in the community, like DHS.”