Regional Health Department Vote Set for Wednesday

Proponents of a regional health department are asking for support as county officials get ready to vote on the project.

The Lehigh County Commissioners will be meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 7:30 p.m. in the Public Hearing Room of the Lehigh County Government Center, 17 S. Seventh St., Allentown. It is expected that they will vote on a bill to withdraw from the bi-county health department for Lehigh and Northampton counties that is being sponsored by six of the nine commissioners.

Renew Lehigh Valley says, "A regional health department would increase access to public health services, allow for greater coordination in identifying and addressing health needs, and promote more efficient use of public health resources. A health department serving all of Lehigh and Northampton counties would not only improve health and wellness in the Lehigh Valley, but it would also be the first bi-county health department in the state."

Supporters of a regional health department want to convince commissioners that rather than killing the idea of a regional health department altogether, other options could be explored or the idea as is could be put on hold rather than defeated completely. 

Contact smartgrowth@renewlv.org or call  484-893-1060 for more information. 

You can find additional information about the efforts to establish a bi-county health department atwww.renewlv.org/health.