PAOLA — After public protests, the Miami County Commission revisited its decision to stop paying for contraceptives for distribution by the Miami County Health Department. However, the Osawatomie Graphic reported that commissioners failed to pass a new motion that would have reversed the vote. That leaves the health department without the grant for its family planning program beginning July 1, effectively killing it. The Graphic reported that County Commissioner Danny Gallagher read a statement that without the grant, the Miami County Health Department won’t be eligible to buy vaccines at a discounted rate. The department could also lose its pharmacy license that allows it to buy and dispense medications, he said. “I still believe that taxpayers should not be providing contraceptives,” Gallagher said in the statement, “However, with the ramifications that the county would incur, I respectfully ask the commission to re-vote on this issue.” The issue was debated for an hour. Gallagher didn’t change his vote and the motion to change the first vote failed on a 2-2 vote. Because of a funeral, Commissioner Jim Wise, who also voted to not apply for the contraceptives grant originally, didn’t attend. However, Commissioner Rob Roberts, who voted to reversing the original vote, said he didn’t think Wise would change his original vote.
Monday, March 26, 9 a.m.
