Knox County Public Health Commissioner Zach Green told the Mount Vernon City Council during its Feb. 9 meeting that the county recorded 194 Lyme disease cases in 2025, a jump from 124 in the previous year.
The rise in Lyme disease cases is a significant public health concern for Knox County. During the council meeting, Green discussed various challenges facing the county's health services. According to a meeting video, he said that with Knox Public Health's federally qualified health center, they serve Medicaid, Medicare, uninsured, and underinsured individuals. However, there has been a decline in Medicaid patients seeking care.
Green expressed concerns about the financial challenges impacting Medicaid at both state and federal levels. "As you probably have seen, especially at the federal level, we're looking at 30-plus billion dollars deficit in our Medicaid in the state of Ohio," he said. He emphasized the importance of educating local leaders on these issues.
Despite these challenges, Green assured that Knox Public Health remains committed to serving those in need of primary care. "We have patient care navigators who help them work with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and state initiatives to get re-enrolled or set them up for primary care as completely uninsured," he said during the meeting.
Additionally, Green announced that Anthony Bowersock is now overseeing the Community Health Center as its new project director and will also serve as deputy health commissioner for Knox County. This appointment aims to strengthen leadership within the agency.
Green highlighted Knox Public Health's focus on prevention to avoid chronic issues among residents. The department continues its efforts to address public health needs despite financial constraints.
