(Little Rock, AR)  The Arkansas Department of Health has announced a plan for the $3,631,885 in budget cuts that had been asked for by Governor Beebe last week.

     The Department reduced general revenue allocations by $1,828,265 in the following manner through a 1% reduction in delayed hiring, reduction in conference travel and in Operating Expenses. There will be no reductions in staffing that serve the state through the local health units.

     A 1% reduction will be taken in the grants supporting the Community Health Centers ($100,000) and the Charitable Clinics ($10,000).

     A 1% reduction for supplies ($29,000) for the flu immunization program will be taken. The actual flu vaccine has already been purchased, and is in the process of being distributed statewide through school based clinics and mass county clinics.

     Reductions in the health initiatives funded through the Tobacco Tax will be taken in areas that have had no final decisions made in implementing programs.



   (Copyright 2009 Newsroom Solutions, LLC)