MODESTO BEE
ORIGINAL ARTICLE

By KEN CARLSON
BEE STAFF WRITER

Last Updated: October 19, 2005, 05:11:20 AM PDT

The Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors will hear from the public tonight about a three-year plan to reduce Health Services Agency deficits that are approaching $10 million a year.
An estimated 16,000 to 19,000 county residents would be affected by the cuts, threatening to put more stress on hospital emergency rooms and nonprofit rural health clinics.

After the hearing this evening, supervisors could proceed with major cuts to health services for low-income residents.

Virginia Madueno, a Riverbank City Council member, expressed concern about the magnitude of the proposed cuts.

She said she isn't sure if community clinics, such as the one operated by Oak Valley Hospital in Riverbank, are equipped to handle the overflow. "I think it will create a ripple effect," she said.

Read more >>