Health department shifts services to new Bilbrey Road clinic as state funding for “Health First” drops
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Summary
Dearborn County Health Department staff described a fast expansion of services after a move to a new Bilbrey Road clinic; department leaders said state program cuts (Health First) reduced a major grant by ~72% and that they are banking rent to give time to find replacement funding and pursue grants.
The Dearborn County Health Department told county leaders on June 1 it has moved most clinical operations to a new Bilbrey Road clinic and sharply expanded programming — but that the department is facing a steep reduction in a key state funding stream called Health First.
Health Director Amy (last name not specified) said the new clinic at 272 Bilbrey Road has two exam rooms, an education space and accessible hours; staff reported a fourfold increase in visits between March 17 and May 31 compared with the prior year, attributed to easier public access at the new location. The department has used COVID vaccine reimbursement funds to purchase a mobile unit (medical bus) that will expand outreach to rural areas when the vehicle is delivered this fall.
But the department said a long‑running line item called Health First declined from the prior level sharply — the director described an overall program reduction from roughly $450 million (statewide) to $40 million, and said Dearborn County’s Health First line was cut about 72%. Staff told commissioners they have already banked some rent and secured $600,000 in outside grant funds this year to offset the shortfall and are preparing two grant applications due this week to add sustained support for programs. The director emphasized that many of the department’s newer services are prevention‑focused — nutrition education, diabetes management classes, fresh produce distribution and a “food as medicine” pilot — and that cutting prevention funding will increase costs downstream.
County commissioners asked how the move and the budget changes affect operational costs; department staff said rent for the Bilbrey Road space is paid from Health First funds presently but that some capital and operating costs could be covered with other restricted grants or by future riverboat or county allocations. The board asked the department to forward a summary of partnerships and grant requisitions and to keep the commissioners informed as the state program budget is finalized.
