Cuts to Public Health Services (Mental and Physical Healthca

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Anonymous But Concerned sent a message using the contact form at http://occupychi.org/contact.

The Mayor's new budget plan seeks to reconcile the deficit on the backs of the poor. The closure of 6 mental health clinics and the privatization of ALL Board of Health clinics is happening right now! What will this most vulnerable population do, not only now, but 2 years from now?

We have been told, as we fight to keep public health services in the communities of those who may not be able to live without it, that we need an "occupy movement" in order to possibly save these services. We have tried desperately to organize the CDPH nurses (about 100) and the other staff (AFSCME members) but it seems almost impossible to get people to fight against Mayor Emanuel and Commissioner Bechara Choucair desire to dismantle the health department. People are afraid to fight in order to save these services and their jobs! They feel that there is nothing that can be done. They feel that they are too little and the Mayor, his council, and the Commissioner are too big.

We need help! Please help us to organize! To fight to keep Public Health Services in the most vulnerable communities and available to those who really need it! The mental health clinics are scheduled to close on April 9, 2012. The Neighborhood Health Centers are scheduled for this June, 30. Time is running out!