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Pa. officials say health centers aren’t effective

1 min read

HARRISBURG (AP) – Gov. Tom Corbett’s Department of Health wants to close nearly half of the state’s health centers because it says they are ineffective in helping treat public health problems.

Instead, Department of Health officials say they want to transform the system so department personnel can reach more people. One way is by taking immunization equipment to big public events.

The labor union that represents state-employed nurses says the plan will mean closing 25 state health centers and eliminating 73 positions that include 26 nurses.

Department officials say the centers average two nurses and cost $20 million to run.

Sandy Deaver, a registered nurse in the south-central health center, says the nurses help provide immunizations, counseling and disaster relief. She says closing the centers will especially be felt in rural areas.

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