The St. Clair County Health Department is set to consolidate its clinical services beginning Sept. 1, following a directive issued Aug. 1 by Medical Director Dr. Remington Nevin.
Under the memorandum, school-based health clinics in Yale and Algonac will close, registered nurse support at Capac schools will end, and clinical services will no longer be offered at outreach events. Limited services at Marysville schools will also be discontinued.
Only the department’s two Port Huron locations, the Main Clinic and the Teen Health Center, will continue to provide direct care.
The department has historically offered services at community events, from church gatherings to local fairs, often reaching those least likely to visit a clinic.
These mobile services included pregnancy testing, HIV testing and on-site vaccines; opportunities that gave people immediate access without needing transportation to Port Huron.
Several residents at the recent Advisory Board of Health meetings said these events were their only way to receive such care, stressing that removing them would disproportionately affect low-income and vulnerable populations.
Nevin’s memorandum cites several reasons for the changes. He argues that direct primary care is not a core function of public health departments under Michigan law, which emphasizes preventing disease, regulating environmental hazards, and promoting community health.
He also points to limited medical oversight, noting he serves only 16 hours a week as a part-time medical director and cannot safely oversee multiple primary care clinics. Nevin said continuing to operate the satellite and outreach clinics under these conditions risks patient safety and could jeopardize his medical license.
He emphasized that most health departments in Michigan do not operate primary care clinics, instead relying on federally qualified health centers or private providers.
The changes sparked strong public reaction at two recent meetings of the St. Clair County Advisory Board of Health. Dozens of residents, school officials and healthcare professionals voiced concern about reduced access to care, citing transportation barriers and the loss of both school-based and outreach services. Some speakers defended Nevin’s plan, calling it a needed refocus on public health’s core mission of prevention and regulation.
County Administrator/Controller Karry Hepting confirmed the memorandum will take effect Sept. 1. She emphasized that commissioners do not approve or reject the directive but could play a role in shaping next steps.
“The Health Advisory Board could recommend alternative ways of providing the services to the Board of Commissioners for their consideration,” Hepting said.
The Board of Commissioners will discuss possible solutions, including funding alternatives or partnerships with outside providers, at committee meetings on Sept. 4. The next regular Advisory Board of Health meeting is scheduled for Sept. 17.
So far, no action has been taken to reverse or replace the services that will be lost next week.
Contact reporter Andy Jeffrey at ajeffrey@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Port Huron Times Herald: What should residents expect when health department changes take effect Sept. 1?
Reporting by Andy Jeffrey, Port Huron Times Herald / Port Huron Times Herald
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
