Federal health-care changes will be trickling down to the local health department.
Seneca County General Health District board members voiced their concern Thursday about a change to what children will qualify to be vaccinated by the department.
During the nursing report, Jeni Bayer informed members that beginning in October the department can no longer provide free vaccinations for children whose parents have health insurance. Bayer and several others discussed the effects the regulation could have on the community. They worry the change will result in less children getting the vaccines they need and disease spreading.
Laura Wallrabenstein, director of the environmental division, brought up recent changes to a law about dogs considered vicious. Previously, all pit bulls were to be considered a "vicious dog." The change has set up a classification system for unruly dogs. The first level would classify a dog as nuisance, second level as dangerous, and third as vicious. The main concern about this topic were the requirements for a dog to be classified at each level. Ambiguous wording left board members wondering if the system would be effective.
Health Commissioner Marjorie Broadhead told board members the Ohio Health Department has released a new publication entitled "Public Health Futures." The 157 page document is a guide to the coming years for public health and health departments. Broadhead urged board members to review it and have comments and concerns for future meetings.
Wallrabenstein updated the board on Sunny Farms Landfill, located outside Fostoria. she said odor complaints and unsatisfactory meeting of standards are top priority and are to be resolved soon.
In other business, the board:
Condemed a property at 132 Elm St., Fostoria.
Condemed a property at Hopewell Estates Lot 16, Fostoria.
Condemed a property at 111 Clay St., Tiffin.
Rescinded the condemnation of a property at 736 Main St., Fostoria.
Rescinded the condemnation of a property at 15940 Water St., Flat Rock.
Approved the revision of the department's sick leave policy.
Approved a contract with MedAssets Supply Chain Systems for contract pricing services.
Approved a contract with Ohio District 5 Area Agency on Aging for passport homemaker and personal care services.
Approved a contract with Bridges Community Academy for nursing services.
Approved contracts with Oriana House and CROSSWEAH for nursing services
