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Don't throw the bathwater out with the baby

| December 1, 2020 1:00 AM

Dear Bonner County commissioners:

I have copied staff on this letter so that it is included in public record.

When I first read of your agenda item to defund Panhandle Health I thought surely it must just be an opportunity to rant against the mask mandate rather than a serious attempt to defund; I was wrong.

The authority of Panhandle Health to impose a mask mandate in the name of public health is supported by the following code/rules of the state of Idaho: Idaho Code 56-1003(7), IDAPA 16.02.10.065.09, Idaho Code 39-415, and Idaho Code 67-5247.

Although you may not like the imposition of the mask mandate, Panhandle Health is within their right to do so. Additionally I would argue not to would be a dereliction of duty to protect the public.

Perhaps you are unaware of what Panhandle Health provides to our citizens. Here is a list of the services we would lose if you chose to defund:

  • Clinical services
  • Family planning/birth control
HIV testing
Immunizations

  • STI testing & treatment
  • 
Women’s health services
  • Blood pressure management

  • Breast exams

  • Cancer screening (colorectal, cervical, skin, and breast
  • 
Cervical polyps
  • 
Colposcopy

  • Dental health and care
  • 
Diabetes prevention programs

  • Endometrial biopsies
  • Eye, ear, nose, and throat infections
  • Fit and Fall Proof

  • Flu symptoms

  • Immunizations, including travel immunizations

  • Menopausal management
  • 
Minor upper respiratory infections
  • Minor skin problems (mole removal, biopsies, rashes, warts etc.)

  • Minor sprains and strains
  • 
Pap smears and abnormal pap smear management
  • 
PrEP

  • School/sports physicals
  • 
Thyroid
  • 
Type 1, 2, and gestational diabetes management

  • Urinary tract infections

  • Vaginal infections
  • 
Wellness exams
  • Home health care
  • Nurse-family partnership
  • Parents as teachers
  • Quitting tobacco
  • Community programs
  • Disease reporting and health data
  • Emergency preparedness
  • Idaho physical activity and nutrition
  • Substance misuse prevention
  • Senior Companions program
  • Suicide prevention
  • Teen pregnancy prevention
  • Telehealth resources
  • Environmental health
  • Child care resources
  • Complaints
  • Food safety
  • Institutional controls programs
  • Land development
  • Lead health information
  • Pests, mold, ticks and bed bugs
  • Public pools
  • Septic permits and records
  • Solid waster
  • Water protection
  • Women and Infant Children’s Nutrition Program

I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying: Don’t throw the baby out with the bath water.  Perhaps this is a case of throwing out the bath water with the baby. Either way, you are making a huge mistake because of an ideological difference. Protect public health.

CARRIE LOGAN

Sandpoint