Last month, the Knox County Board of Health approved moving ahead with a mobile dental care unit — plans that are now on hold until the state can create some stability with a budget.
Health Department Administrator Michele Fishburn broke the news to the board at last night’s regular meeting. Fishburn tells WGIL she was uncomfortable with starting the dental program in the current financial climate.
“I’m hesitant to do it because it’s so unknown in the state budget environment,” she says. “And, a program like that takes a little bit to start actually generating revenue, so we would be pulling from our own reserves to fund the program, so I just don’t think the timing is right”
The program would have meant a a full-time dentist and a vehicle that could reach patients at places like Head Start, public housing and towns other than Galesburg.
At last month’s meeting, the board approved applying for a grant for as much as $300,000 to get the project started.
Fishburn says she still hopes to get launch the project, but with worst-case rumors suggesting a state without a budget for the entirety of 2016, now is not the time for risks.
Also discussed last night was the upcoming opening for board seat. Longtime board member and former Board President Jackie Turner is stepping down in June.
