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Commissioner defends decision to stop free OTC meds at Partnership Health Center, urges city to revisit Williamsport Fourth of July cancellation
Summary
A commissioner read a human resources notice that the Partnership Health Center will immediately stop providing over‑the‑counter medications to employees and retirees, defended the change as cost control, and urged city officials to reconsider cancelling Williamsport’s Fourth of July celebration.
A Lycoming County commissioner used the April 9 meeting to read a human resources letter notifying county employees and retirees that Partnership Health Center will immediately stop dispensing over‑the‑counter medications.
The letter, read aloud by a commissioner, said: "Dear employees and retirees of Lycoming County, this letter serves to formally notify staff and retirees of changes in medication availability at the Partnership Health Center. Effective immediately, over‑the‑counter medications will no longer be provided through the Partnership Health Center. This determination applies to all non‑prescription medications previously available at the facility. Prescription medications remain unaffected."
The commissioner said the decision was made to control taxpayer spending and defended the board against social media criticism that the commissioners were mismanaging funds. "Three of us have cut millions of dollars in annual spending," the commissioner said, arguing that providing nonprescription items ("Tylenol, Vicks, aspirins") to people who can buy them elsewhere was excessive.
Separately, the same commissioner said county officials were not consulted about the City of Williamsport's decision not to hold downtown Fourth of July celebrations and urged the mayor to revisit that decision. The commissioner said local law enforcement availability and coordination — including offers of assistance from Sheriff Spiegel and state police two‑man units — could make a celebration possible and said county leaders would be willing to help.
The commissioner also addressed local development concerns and the status of a proposed casino project elsewhere in the region, noting that any "mini casino" depends on prior township votes and zoning and that a separate, larger project had been approved near State College.
The commission did not take formal action on the Partnership Health Center notice at the meeting; the human resources letter advised employees and retirees to contact the Partnership Health Center or the county HR director, Mr. Hagen, for questions.
