By Kevin Lavery, KWMU
St. Louis, MO. – Some Missouri health care professionals are protesting both approved and proposed cuts by the state to the Department of Health and Senior Services.
Community health nurse Rebecca Valicoff is losing her job this week; one of about 200 people the Blunt administration is cutting from the state payroll.
It's her job to assess patients who may fall victim to abuse or neglect. She says the cuts will mean the remaining staff will only be able to respond to the most dire cases.
"The other ones down the road will need a hotline and will be in imminent danger because we're not out there helping them on a timely basis," Valicoff said.
A Blunt spokeswoman says the cuts are needed to avoid raising taxes. She says functions including nursing home inspections will continue as needed, and once annually as required by law.