No authority
Looks like Guilford County's health department won't switch to a public health authority after all. Thanks to Elyse Ashburn, who covers health and the environment for the N&R, for pulling this together:
GREENSBORO — After about a year of study, local health officials have decided not to pursue public health authority status for the Guilford County health department.
Merle Green, health department director, announced the decision in a staff memo dated Jan. 19.
Green wrote that Guilford sought guidance on the switch from health authorities in smaller Cabarrus and Hertford counties. But state laws have changed since Cabarrus launched its authority, and Hertford's authority hasn't provided much useful information.
The memo also mentioned "unfriendly personnel changes" that may have been necessary under a health authority. Those possible changes, the memo said, gave reason "for continuing with the safety-net of the county system for employee benefits."
"This also appeared to be the area that was most troubling to many staff," Green wrote.
Green said Wednesday that she has informed the board of health of the decision not to pursue health authority status.
Switching to a health authority would have made the department a quasi-governmental agency, reducing its reliance on taxpayer money and giving it more flexibility.
Health officials had said the move also would enable the department to offer more health-care services.
Green said the department will continue to explore ways to expand services.
"The core of what the health authority was will still be there," Green said.