Commissioners say county health center not slated for closure as board reviews contract and costs

A Lycoming County commissioner on April 23 emphasized that the county is evaluating the contract and cost effectiveness of the county-run wellness center, not planning to close the facility.

"We are evaluating the cost of that, making sure that we do have the right provider operating that for us," the commissioner said, describing staff work to review contract terms and savings. The official said the county's self-insured plan and the wellness center were intended to reduce costly emergency-room visits and high lab costs by offering lower-cost alternatives locally.

The commissioner acknowledged the board removed over-the-counter drug coverage effective April 1 but characterized that step as an administrative change, not a closure of services. He said the board believes the wellness center has produced savings in the past and wants to verify current numbers before deciding whether to renew the contract or seek competitive bids.

The official gave an example of an employee who faced a large bill for post-exposure rabies shots; the wellness center reportedly provided the same medication at a fraction of the cost, "$350" instead of a bill that approached "$12,000," the commissioner said, citing a staff account of a specific case.

The board said staff will continue the audit/review and provide the financial details that will inform any future procurement or contract decisions. Commissioners repeated that no decision has been made to close the center and framed the effort as routine stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

The county has not released the audit findings; staff said they will present verified cost figures once analysis is complete.