After the start of the new fiscal year on July 1, Wrangell seems set to be permanently without a residential nurse at its Public Health Center due to anticipated budget cuts to the program.
In March the Wrangell office’s nurse Ty Esposito retired from her position. At the time, the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services had dispelled concerns that the office and another in Haines would be closed down. The nursing position for Haines’ PHC had been vacant since October.
As the Legislature creeps ever closer to finalizing a budget for next year, ADHSS is expecting cuts to its funding in the ballpark of 25 percent.
“And that’s still in process,” commented Dawnell Smith, public information officer for ADHSS. “Just how everything’s going to happen is just being worked out.”
In the meantime, the two communities’ PHCs will remain open in a sense – nurses will periodically travel from neighboring communities to keep appointments and maintain core services. However, the vacant nurse position will be cut, as will that of office administrator Marissa Fulgham.
“Service delivery will look different,” said Sue Bergmann, nurse manager for the Ketchikan PHC. The frequency of site visits may depend on staffing availability, funding and local demand, she explained, but how often and when are still uncertain. “The details are still being worked out. We will try to communicate when we’re coming.”
Those wanting to set up an appointment for testing, immunizations or family planning services can call either the Ketchikan or Petersburg health offices. Comparable treatment options may be more readily available at Alaska Island Community Services and Wrangell Medical Center, though the cost structure could differ.
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