Budget cuts affect Mississippi Dept. of Health

The Mississippi State Department of Health is going from nine regional offices to three because of budget cuts.
Dr. Mary Currier, the state health officer, said Monday that changes begin July 1st with the new budget year. The department is keeping regional offices in Tupelo, Jackson, and Biloxi. Currier says it is saving $1.5 million by closing regional offices in Batesville, Greenwood, Starkville, Meridian, McComb, and Hattiesburg.
Some jobs will be eliminated through retirements and resignations and some workers are being reassigned. Currier says no layoffs are expected in county health clinics or the three remaining district offices.
The health department started the current year with $36 million in state funding, but had $5 million in midyear cuts. It is budgeted to receive $24.6 million in the new year.