Cuts affect Northeast Tri County Health

COLVILLE — Cuts at the state and federal level will be felt at Northeast Tri County Health District, administrator Matt Schanz said.

The cuts will result in a $15,000 reduction in NTECHD’s ability to support immunization activities. “We are still working to understand the impact on a healthcare infection control program we are currently a part of,” Schanz said. The cuts to the state Department of Health will cause the the loss of the Care-A-Van program, which helped with community immunization and other wellness events, he said.

“Over the past few years, the Care-A-Van Program was used extensively in Pend Oreille County to support immunization events,” Schanz said. “We had them scheduled out to host around four events this spring and early summer which they will not be able to attend now.”

In addition to COVID-19 immunizations, the Care-A-Van has helped with school-based vaccination events for children, he said.

Schanz said that NETCHD doesn’t have any impending staff cuts. “We are watching the state budget carefully to understand the impacts to the Foundational Health Services dollars that are allocated from the state general fund (mostly) into the public health system,” Schanz said. “That will really determine what direction we take as an organization.”