Oklahoma's county health clinics cut back after layoffs

OKLAHOMA CITY — County health clinics across Oklahoma are struggling to survive after layoffs by the state Health Department.

The staffing shortage has led some clinics to reduce the number of people they serve and delay visits, the Oklahoman reported.

Clinics saw about 4,800 fewer people than a year ago, according to statistics from April compared to the same time last year. Visits also declined from April 2016 to April 2017, but not nearly as much as they did in the last year.

County health departments statewide conducted about 1,800 fewer visits for family planning, 1,700 fewer for the Women, Infants and Children program, and 1,100 fewer for children’s health. The figures don’t include Oklahoma and Tulsa counties, which have independent clinics.

Read more: http://www.swtimes.com/news/20180618/oklahomas-county-health-clinics-cut-back-after-layoffs