BAKERSFIELD, Calif.(KBAK/KBFX) — A Kern County Grand Jury report released Monday warns that budget cuts to Kern County Public Health are creating a health care crisis.
In August, county supervisors implemented the fiscal year budget, which included a 25% cut to public health, reducing their budget to $38.2 million from more than $51 million the previous year.
The report details the various services and programs affected by the cuts and recommends that the Board of Supervisors restore the budget to its previous level.
It also suggests providing more funding for testing and treatment of STDs, diabetes, and valley fever, among other changes.
The supervisors have 90 days to respond to the report, while public health has been given a 60-day deadline to respond.