MOUNT VERNON — At its monthly meeting Tuesday night, the executive committee of the Knox County Democratic Party passed a resolution calling on the Knox County Health Department to reconsider its decision to end physician services at its medical clinic.
KnoxPages.com contacted Health Commissioner Julie Miller this morning for comment. Miller said, “The decision to end physician-based services in our clinic was not made lightly. It was purely a fiscal decision and the Board feels they are good stewards of the tax levy dollars which we are fortunate to receive.”
The physician services are slated to end later this month.
“Providing quality, affordable healthcare coverage for all citizens is a core belief of the Democratic Party,” notes Adam Gilson, party chairman. “The resolution we passed reaffirms our position and calls on the county health department to continue to provide physician services to the neediest Knox Countians.”
The full text of the resolution appears below:
Whereas, the Knox County Health Department operates a medical clinic providing the services of an inhouse physician; and
Whereas, many citizens of Knox County have relied on the services of this physician since her hiring in October 2012; and
Whereas, the citizens of Knox County approved a .8 mill property tax levy in November 2012 to continue the operation of the services of the Knox County Health Department; and
Whereas, the Knox County Health Department announced in October 2013 its intention to eliminate the services of its inhouse physician; and
Whereas, a lasting and trusted doctorpatient relationship is a vital component of quality healthcare; and
Whereas, the loss of that relationship will have adverse effects on the citizens of Knox County who depend on these services;
Therefore, be it resolved, that the executive committee of the Knox County Democratic Party publicly supports the retention of inhouse physician services at the medical clinic of the Knox County Health Department and urges the director and board of the health department to reconsider its decision to end these services.
Adopted December 3, 2013
