For immediate release
July 5, 2002

ODH announces budget cuts

COLUMBUS - In the face of state budget cuts, the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) will preserve its core public health prevention programs, but the reduction will introduce challenges for public health.

The 15 percent cut announced by Governor Bob Taft on Monday, the first day of State Fiscal Year (SFY) '03, will mean a reduction of about $12.3 million in state funds this fiscal year. About 70 percent of ODH's budget comes from federal funds, so the $12.3 million in state cuts represents about a 2.4 percent reduction in the agency's total budget.

"Despite this latest cut, we have been able to preserve our key public health programs," said J. Nick Baird, M.D., ODH director. "ODH will continue to do its best to fulfill its mission to protect and improve the health of all Ohioans."

Several key, core public health programs that will see minimal reductions include the Ohio Cancer Incidence and Surveillance System, infectious disease control, vaccine education programs, the public health laboratory, Vital Statistics, health care facility regulation and local environmental health oversight.

"Management and fiscal efficiencies, such as administrative consolidations, have helped ODH absorb these cuts," Baird said. "We know that any cut is a challenge. That is why we have absorbed as much as we can internally, to minimize the impact on our partners in public health."

The budget reduction is the latest in a series of state cuts sustained by ODH since January 2001. ODH received a 3 percent cut ($2.7 million) in SFY '01 and 7.5 percent cut ($6.8 million) in SFY '02.

"Difficult times require difficult decisions," Baird said. "Unfortunately, some programs will be eliminated." He said the agency intends to eliminate the arthritis care training subsidy, hemophilia case management and the fish advisory program. These eliminations ($1.1 million) represent less than 1 percent of the total ODH budget.

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Contact: The Ohio Department of Health, Office of Public Affairs (614) 644-8562.