The Kern County Board of Supervisors will hold a Beilenson Hearing on July 29 at 9:00 a.m. to consider the proposed reduction or elimination of a wide range of medical services provided by Kern County Public Health. The hearing will take place at the County Administrative Building located at 1115 Truxtun Ave, 1st Floor.
Among the most significant proposed cuts is the elimination of the county’s Mobile Health Clinic, which currently provides services to about 400 residents across Kern County in various locations such as Bakersfield, Shafter, Lamont, McFarland, California City, Mojave, and Taft.
Julio, a Kern County resident, went to the Mobil Health Clinic that takes place at Riverview Park in Olidale, CA on July 24.
It was Julio’s first time, and he said, “The services were really good,” and agreed that they should be more accessible to the community.
Furthermore, there are proposed cuts for family planning, STD and HIV prevention and treatment, immunizations, and chronic disease screenings across underserved areas. Also on the table is the closure of the Shafter Public Health Office, estimated to affect around 30 residents, which offers tuberculosis testing, immunizations, and other preventive services combined.
With the announcement of the reductions, it could save the county nearly $900,000; however, the cuts will impact rural and low-income communities that need low cost and accessible services.
Kern Sol reached out to the Kern County Public Health Department to better understand what specific changes are being proposed, why they are necessary at this time, which communities may be most affected, and whether any alternatives were considered.
Kern County Public Health spokesperson stated, “Kern County Public Health will participate in a Beilenson Hearing on July 29th at the Kern County Board of Supervisors Meeting as noted in this public notification…Following the hearing, Director Brynn Carrigan will be available for comment.”
The public is invited to attend the hearing and provide oral or written feedback. Written comments can also be submitted in advance to the Clerk of the Board. A full list of proposed service changes is available here: https://www.kernpublichealth.com/healthy-community/mobile-health-clinic
