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City considering merge for services; detractors say it's wrong choice
By Cheryl Powell
Beacon Journal medical writer
Published on Wednesday, Jun 24, 2009
Barberton soon might contract with the Summit County Health District rather than continue its own health agency.
Mayor Bob Genet presented a report at this week's City Council meeting recommending the switch.
The move could save the city about $500,000 per year and result in more stability for public health services and the employees who provide those services, Genet said.
''Everybody is strapped right now,'' he said. ''I think regionalism provides a better opportunity to serve people.''
Earlier this month, Norton switched from the Barberton Health District to Summit County for health services.
As a result, Genet estimates, the Barberton Health District will lose more than $200,000 in fees and other revenue during the next 12 months.
Barberton is waiting to find out whether it's getting state grant money to help meet its budget.
Given the tough economy, Genet said, it would be hard to ask taxpayers to pay more.
Barberton Health Commissioner Paulette Kline said she supports exploring consolidation. However, she said, she's concerned whether ''a cluster of poverty'' within Barberton will continue to receive much-needed services.
''It's a process that needs to have a lot of effort and cannot be done quickly,'' she said. ''I'm definitely for assessment of the public health system in Summit County.''
Talks already are under way to merge the Summit County Health District and the Akron Health Department.
The county agency provides services to all communities in Summit County except Akron and Barberton.
The three public health agencies offer communicable disease tracking, environmental
services, birth and death certificates, nursing services and other community outreach.
A six-member review committee appointed by Genet explored options and recently recommended the city switch to Summit County.
In its report, the committee concluded Summit County ''is in a better financial position and is a more technologically advanced organization.''
Former Barberton Health Commissioner Joseph R. Harrison wrote a letter to the committee opposing the switch.
In his letter, he argues that ''having your own health department is very important during times of epidemics and public health emergencies.''
If City Council approves the change, Barberton could join the county health district as early as January, Genet said.
Any contract with the Summit County district will include a provision to keep a facility in Barberton to provide services, including a prenatal clinic, Genet said.
''If they would not commit to having a facility here, we would not be having these discussions,'' he said. ''The services that are necessary for the area are going to be provided.''
The mayor said he also plans to work with the Summit County Health District to make sure the Barberton Health District's 23 employees get jobs with the county.
Cheryl Powell can be reached at 330-996-3902 or chpowell@thebeaconjournal.com.
Barberton soon might contract with the Summit County Health District rather than continue its own health agency.
Get the full article here.
Comments
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Posted 08:15 AM, 06/24/2009
Genet is again selling away the city. They have given away every asset they have and gained nothing. This is the same stupid thinking that has Barberton in the poverty stricken position Randy Hart put them in the previous 15 years, and Genet seems to be carrying on with. When will people learn you need leadership with a vision of growth?
Orrville, Oh
Posted 03:56 PM, 06/24/2009
Natural Law: what Mother Nature, God, or Whatever Power decreed to be the reality of the real world, democracy, capitalism, the US Constitution, and free, fair, and affordable commerce?
Demands every corporation, farmer, business, outsourcer sweatshop, and nonprofit, tax-exempt, organization and Church markets the cost in the wholesale and retail price of his or her product and service; Of every Human Being paying insurance premium or paying health care provider; workers, consumers, and taxpayers living (including pension and health care). Enabling parents to love, nurse, nurture, discipline, protect, and provide, for every child (job) they conceive and fund schools, infrastructure, national security, government services, and etc.; with money derived from wages or independent business profit!
Canton, OH
Posted 06:05 PM, 06/24/2009
Mayor Genet is a Barberton Boy. .Give him a chance. . He will lead us outta the abyss. .
