Dept of Health officer still trying to assess effects of budget cuts, layoffs probable

Director: Mississippi Health Department expects layoffs

The Mississippi State Department of Health will probably have to lay off some employees because of a tight budget during the year that starts July 1, but its director says she doesn’t know how many.

Dr. Mary Currier, the state health officer, said Wednesday that she and other department officials are still trying to figure out the full effects of a bill that restructures state budgets.

While legislators said the change is designed to simplify the budget process by eliminating the transfer of money from one agency to another, Currier said it is causing confusion about how the Health Department will handle specific services.

Clarion Ledger
6/8/16