The State's financial crisis has taken a toll on one local organization.

The DeWitt/Piatt Bi-County Health Department has been very effected by the financial woes of the state. Administrator of the Health Department, Dave Remmert calls the state's financial picture "horrible" and says it is taking a major toll on their ability to operate.

[audio:5712badhealth1.mp3] [/audio]

Remmert explains each health department in the state is required to provide four basic services. The DeWitt/Piatt Bi-County Health Department receives a grant that covers 30% of the cost associated with those services, and the state fills in the rest. Remmert says they may not see the other 70% for nine or ten months.

[audio:5712badhealth2.mp3] [/audio]

As the leader of the Health Department, Remmert would like to find ways to continue meeting the needs of the communities they serve, however, he says when all that is on the mind is trying to make ends meet, it is makes that task exceptionally difficult.

[audio:5712badhealth3.mp3] [/audio]

The Health Department not only has been cutting back on staff, but their salaries have in fact been slashed. Remmert even questions the grants they have received in the past if those will be able to be paid in full moving forward.