State Department of Social and Health Services funding will end on Feb. 28 for IPCC (Island Prenatal Care Center) and the Take Charge teen pregnancy clinic. Hospital Executive Director Vince Oliver said, "many people may feel these are useful services."
Oliver proposed that Island Hospital end the programs when funding ends, but the hospital district commissioners voted to extend the 2 programs one additional month using hospital district funds, in the hope the legislature decided to extend funding.
Board Commissioner Laurie Gere said the programs are important and should continue. The two programs, which employ 3 people, cost $216,000 per year.
Oliver indicated the legislature may consider funding the services during the upcoming legislative session, but the state is again facing a revenue shortfall which might mean cuts in programs.