Countywide

Eliminating health and social services now funded through the federal revenue sharing program could cost the county almost as much money as it saves, the San Diego County Board of Supervisors was told Tuesday.

Separate reports from three community boards that advise the county on health, social services and programs for the aged said cutting the $7 million spent this year on those services could backfire by making the people who use the agencies more dependent on direct county aid.

Troubled youths now counseled through private “diversion” programs might end up in Juvenile Hall, and poor people, deprived of preventive health care at community clinics, might have their health worsen and be forced to enter the emergency room at UC San Diego Medical Center, the reports said. The bills for such services would go to the county.