FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Establishing a county health department is no small feat and with it comes many questions. Here are answers to some common questions about a county health department.
Click here to download a more comprehensive FAQ document.
Why does York County need a countywide health department?
The idea of a York County Health Department has been discussed in the past and was most recently proposed in the 2004 Comprehensive Action Plan of the YorkCounts Commission.
YorkCounts is a community-wide effort to define the quality of life in York County in an objective and measurable way.
The Healthy York County Coalition commissioned the Drexel University School of Public Health to conduct a feasibility study for a York County Health Department. The study showed that while many beneficial health activities occur across York County, there are also significant gaps. These gaps include a lack of adequate resources for effective planning and coordination of public health services throughout the county; comprehensive disaster planning; identification and a response to higher-than-average lead toxicity levels in homes throughout York County; and much more.
Who would pay for a county health department?
According to the business plan developed, the total cost for a countywide health department would be $5,420,810.
In Pennsylvania, funding for county health departments primarily comes from three sources: 1. the Commonwealth; 2. user fees/license fees; and 3. state/federal grants for items such as immunizations, childhood lead testing and bioterrorism preparedness. Based on Pennsylvania Acts 315, 12 and 537, York County would residents would qualify for more than $2.1 million to help fund the department. In addition, $207,000 in user fees/license permits and $443,000 from the County’s general fund would help to pay for the department. The remaining revenue would be generated by other sources such as the Weyer Trust, contributions, grants, and other support generated by health department programming.
What would a county health department do?
Services typically provided by a county health department include immunizations, lead screenings, food establishment inspections and licensing, health screenings, sewage enforcement, community health and outreach, emergency and bioterrorism response planning and more. This department would investigate and diagnose health problems and health hazards in the community.
Also, a department would coordinate public health-related activities by building partnerships among municipalities, community groups, institutions and people providing services or concerned about public health across York County.
Doesn’t a county health department primarily serve poor people?
A county health department serves everyone. It is a government entity that exists for the common good, not unlike police and fire departments. Public flu shot programs, ensuring safe drinking water, sewage enforcement and restaurant inspections are examples of health department services that benefit everyone.
What else would a county health department do?
A York County Health Department would collect and maintain information about public health-related activities throughout the county and monitor the health status of the population. It would be the central destination for residents with public health questions and concerns.
Will a countywide health department be a duplication of services?
Despite a committed staff and efficient organization, the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Department of Agriculture lack adequate resources to provide effective planning and coordination of services to meet the broad spectrum of public health needs. Except in the City of York and Hanover Borough, there are inadequate food safety controls, restaurant inspections, and appropriate oversight.
In addition, there is no governing agent with coordinating responsibilities and authority regarding other gaps in public health activities. With regard to sewage enforcement, there is need for more effective and standardized enforcement and recordkeeping.
There is no need for two health departments in York County. The Business Plan calls for the merger of the York City Health Bureau into the countywide department. A York County Health Department would not eliminate the need for existing providers or duplicate services. It would partner with community organizations.