KFVS12 News & Weather Cape Girardeau, Carbondale, Poplar BluffIllinois budget problems felt at local dentist office

Illinois budget problems felt at local dentist office

By Julia Bruck - bio | email

CARBONDALE, IL (KFVS) - What happens if the boss cannot afford to pay you for a full week's work? 

In most instances either you work a few days for nothing, or you do what many places have been forced to do during hard times, such as one Carbondale dentists' office.

It has become another victim of Illinois's $13 billion dollar budget crisis.  Recently staff members held their breath as they opened an e-mail from the chief executive officer.

"I am hoping we'll be able to eliminate this uncertainty considering furlough days in the near future.  But at least we can extend the delay for another two weeks," Shawnee Health Care Chief Executive Officer, Patsy Jensen said as she read from a recently sent email.

Some 350 employees received that email.  The subject is furlough days.  Jensen says she started these emails back in December.

"If we can't meet our payroll demands then we are going to ask our staff to take one day off a week," Jensen said.

Shawnee Health Care has clinics in Carbondale, Marion, and Murphysboro. 

At the Carbondale clinic, nearly 80% of dental patients are on Medicaid.  In Illinois, the state must match 50% of Medicaid dollars.  However, Jensen says due to Medicaid payments delays, many area dentists don't accept the program.  

"We're at a minimum 90 days out," Jensen said about state Medicaid payments.  

"I'm here to get a filling," patient Chris Weston said.  

However, no money means patients like Weston may have to wait longer for any follow up appointments.  

Doctor Terry Powers Junior said if the company implements furlough days he is concerned about his patient's accessibility to care.  

"They can't come in and get the care they need to be taken care of, which causes them to have maybe more pain," Doctor Powers said. "Something they can't get taken care of, which ends up causing them to take days off work." 

Jensen added they do not expect any relief in the coming months.

"We are going to make our payroll Friday but we have two more weeks we'll be looking again," Jensen added.  

Jensen said the plan, if needed, is to have all office staff employees take furlough days one a week, but keep dentist, hygienist, and dental assistants working. 

Still she says ultimately with less staff that means not as many patients in dental chairs.

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