Patients Occupy Mental Health Clinic To Prevent Closure

[cory777]

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by maddezmom (a host of the Latest Breaking News forum).

Source: Care2

By Beth Buczynski

Members of Occupy Wall Street are reporting that dozens of people who use Chicago’s mental health clinics along with other advocates have barricaded themselves into the Woodlawn Clinic at 6337 S. Woodlawn, one of 6 clinics facing closure in the city.

The patients, family members, and mental health advocates say they intend to remain there until Mayor Rahm Emanuel agrees to keep all of Chicago’s public clinics open, fully funded and fully staffed.

According to the Chicago Tribune, some 5,100 patients receive services through the city’s network of mental health clinics. About 3,000 are uninsured or underinsured, and another 2,100 carry Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance. The plan to close the clinics was made toward the end of 2011, and will save taxpayers about $3 million, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health.

The City says it will refer the insured clients to nonprofit community mental health providers, but patients and their advocates have their doubts. Not to mention that thousands without insurance will be left to fend for themselves.







Read more: http://www.care2.com/causes/breaking-patients-occupy-mental-health-clinic-to-prevent-closure.html

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[pipoman]

1. The stupidest shit EVER

According to the Chicago Tribune, some 5,100 patients receive services through the city’s network of mental health clinics. About 3,000 are uninsured or underinsured, and another 2,100 carry Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance. The plan to close the clinics was made toward the end of 2011, and will save taxpayers about $3 million, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health.

The City says it will refer the insured clients to nonprofit community mental health providers, but patients and their advocates have their doubts. Not to mention that thousands without insurance will be left to fend for themselves.

And in the next breath Chicago politicians are busy blaming inanimate objects for their crime problems. Everyone reacting with shock and disbelief when some whack-job shoots up the mall.

Gonna save $3million and spend $10 defending against SCOTUS level lawsuits trying to defend their unconstitutional firearms restrictions all in the name of 'public safety'. Such a stupid group of decisions it's painful..

[maddezmom]

2. locking

please feel free to post in Gen. Discussion.