Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors cuts Public Health Dept. budget by almost 25%

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – After the Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors voted to cut the public health budget by 25-percent, recipients of the department’s home health care say they don’t know what to do.

Arlene Hull of New Hampton is one of those patients.

Over the last five years, she’s dealt with health issues like a shoulder replacement and cardiac procedure. With the help of Chickasaw County Public Health’s home health services, she’s been able to stay in her home.

But it’s unlikely she’ll be able to stay there much longer.

“I love my girls. And I want to stay in my own home. And if they cut us anymore, I can’t.” she said.

Last week, three out of five of the Chickasaw County supervisors voted to slash the public health budget by 25%, or about $350,000.

That means some of the vital at-home services, like physical therapy and home health aids – all of which Hull relies on – could disappear.

And public health employees say this poses a risk to the county’s aging population.

“I mean I’ve been in this job for 18, almost 19 years and the people that we have helped have been so appreciative and now all of a sudden it’s gone. It’s just going to be so sad for them.” said Ann Knutson, a nurse with the Public Health Department.

But it’s not just patients that will be affected. Arlene’s daughter, Raelene Maas, says she won’t have nearly as much peace of mind.

Especially considering her mother’s home health aid saved her life after she was found unresponsive.

“I work outside of town in a neighboring community. And so, they were able to be there with my mom until I was able to arrive. And had it not been for their care, she wouldn’t be here today.” said Maas.

TV9 reached out to those three Supervisors multiple times to learn why they cut the budget so dramatically, but never heard back.

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