MOBILE, Ala. (WPMI) MOBILE, Ala.) Congress has just four days to decide on some huge spending cuts or else automatic cuts kick in.
We've heard about the threat of government furloughs and effects it may have on military budgets, but what about you and more specifically your children?
If this sequestration happens, the White House says Alabama will lose approximately $11 million in funding for primary and secondary education. Up to 500 disadvantaged children will lose access to child care and funding for vaccinations will be cut by about $144,000 over the next 7 months.
And it's looking increasingly likely that a series of automatic cuts to the tune of $85 billion will come to pass.
On Sunday, the White House released a state-by-state break down of the sequester's effects.
"This is not something that is avoidable because it's the law of the land. This is part of the Budget Control Act that was passed back in August of 2011 when we were on the verge of the debt ceiling expiring," said Republican Congressman Jo Bonner. "The unfortunate thing is now the White House has awakened and are blaming Congress, which is their typical thing to do and they are sending out all these scare tactics among the American people."
Unless Congress acts by Friday, the impacts on Alabama include cuts to education, military and healthcare.
At Compass Urgent Care, doctors and employees are concerned about what the cuts will mean long term.
"We're concerned about the window of vulnerability for those federal employees that might lose their jobs. Those individuals, if they get sick in that transition between jobs that's a point of vulnerability," said Dr. Richard Oyler (Dr.O) of Compass Urgent Care.
The White House reports that in Alabama around 2,100 fewer children will receive vaccines for diseases such as measles, mumps and Hepatitis B due to reduced funding.
"I'm sure there won't be a shortage of vaccinations but for those that are under privileged and rely on the health department for the vaccinations, there may be a little issue there because of the reimbursement the health department might need because of lack of federal funds," said Dr. O.
Alabama will also lose more than $1 million in grants to help treat and prevent substance abuse.
"Make no mistake, there will be far reaching effects from this. But again, it's the law of the land. This is not something the President can ignore. His solution is let's just raise taxes. Well we've already had a tax increase take place 8 weeks ago," said Congressman Bonner.
To view the impact the cuts could have on Alabama, go to the Find It section of our website at Local15tv.com and click on the headline Congress Back in Washington, March 1 Deadline Looming.
