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Board hears concerns after App HealthCare layoffs, worries about competition from proposed Wilkesboro clinic
Summary
Health department leadership warned the board that App HealthCare's planned layoffs and a town grant-funded clinic proposal could strain public-health capacity and revenue—potentially leading to staff losses and reduced hours at local departments and the county FQHC.
Health department leadership told the Board of Health April 13 it expects financial pressures in the region to affect local services. Ms. Rachel Willard reported that App HealthCare planned to lay off 23 employees effective the end of June, and she warned that declining public-health funding is already forcing departments to consider reduced hours or staffing changes. "It's really sad, and it speaks volumes of where public health funding is at," Willard said.
Willard also raised concerns about a Town of Wilkesboro grant application to renovate the former Lowes building and a potential operator, High Country Community Health. She said the planned clinic could bring services the county does not provide and might compete for patients and staff, jeopardizing revenue for the county clinic and its FQHC. Board members acknowledged both the potential community benefit (expanded access and a shelter) and the risk to the county health department’s revenue stream; no formal action was taken.
