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JPZenger

(6,819 posts)
Fri Apr 5, 2013, 10:55 AM Apr 2013

1/2 of PA. Health Centers Closing; Will Provide Public Health Services Instead at County Fairs

Last edited Fri Apr 5, 2013, 07:41 PM - Edit history (1)

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/corbett-would-close-county-health-centers-1.1442620

http://www.timesleader.com/news/local-news/401598/SEIU-files-suit-against-Corbett-over-health-center-closings

One Term Tommy is moving forward on shutting down 26 of the State's Community Health Centers that are spread across the state. This is about half of the existing health centers.

The first article quotes Corbett Administration officials as saying that it is cheaper to provide public health services by setting up a stand at the annual State Farm Show and the annual County Fairs. "Oh, is there an Avian Flu epidemic threatening Wilkes-Barre? Well, we will have a stand at the Luzerne County Fair next August, can you wait until then?"
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Here's a great op ed on the issue by the former head of the PA. Dept. of Aging:

http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/04/gov_corbett_plan_to_close_clinics_would_endanger_health_cost_jobs_as_i_see_it.html

Excerpts:

"There are, however, warning signs of the vulnerability of our current public health system even before the Administration’s drastic cuts:

- The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ranks only six other states below Pennsylvania for public health preparedness – we are seriously under- prepared to respond to disease outbreaks, bioterrorism and weather disasters.
- The state’s infectious disease rate increased nearly 30 percent in 2011 (the last year for which data exist).
- The share of the state population without health insurance increased 29 percent in the last decade. This share is now growing because the Governor eliminated low-cost health care for adults (adultBasic) and refuses to accept federal dollars allocated to expand Medicaid coverage in Pennsylvania – leaving people more dependent on community health centers."

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It might not be so bad, if PA was not already 43rd among the states in public health spending by the state government before these cuts were made. Now, maybe Mississippi will beat us.

It might not be so bad if PA. had a strong system of county health depts., but only 6 of the 67 counties have a county health department.
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1/2 of PA. Health Centers Closing; Will Provide Public Health Services Instead at County Fairs (Original Post) JPZenger Apr 2013 OP
The Republicans should just come out and say what they really want AndyA Apr 2013 #1
+1000 PADemD Apr 2013 #2
I can see it now/ Curmudgeoness Apr 2013 #3
I'm sure our County Health Center grntuscarora Apr 2013 #4
So now I guess people are supposed to plan that their medical requirements MadrasT Apr 2013 #5

AndyA

(16,993 posts)
1. The Republicans should just come out and say what they really want
Fri Apr 5, 2013, 11:14 AM
Apr 2013

In short: die, middle class and impoverished Americans. You're a drain to us, the elite. We don't want to provide health care for you, educate your children, or take care of you in your old age.

We want you to work your butts off for as long as you can and for as little pay as we can get by paying you, pay your taxes, and die before you can take anything you've put in back out.

We want your children, not ours, to go off and fight in our wars because we own the big defense contractors and make tons of money on wars. But it's best if most soldiers just die on the battle field, because we don't want to provide health care for them if they're injured, nor do we want to hire them when they return after serving their country. (They might have mental issues after seeing the horrific things that happen in war first hand, which would cost us money to treat.)

We want you to eat the food our companies make, without knowing what's in it, where it comes from, or what damage its consumption might cause.

We want our companies to be immune from prosecution, because we're better than you, and shouldn't be held accountable for our actions like everyone else.

So, take what we offer, don't complain about it, don't get sick, and if you do get sick die quickly so you won't be a burden to us.

After all, we have multi-million dollar houses to tear down so we can build bigger houses, new cars and boats to buy, and vacations to take. We are tired of listening to you complain about equality, shared sacrifice, and all that other crap. We're keeping what's ours, you get nothing.

Curmudgeoness

(18,219 posts)
3. I can see it now/
Fri Apr 5, 2013, 06:53 PM
Apr 2013

National news cameras showing the long lines of poor people in line for days waiting for the doctors to show up. I have seen some of these "clinics" on news in the past.....depressing.

I wonder if these people will be able to afford to get into the fairs---some of ours are a little pricey.

I don't know what this state is coming to. I might as well live in Mississippi.

grntuscarora

(1,249 posts)
4. I'm sure our County Health Center
Fri Apr 5, 2013, 07:21 PM
Apr 2013

will be on the axed list, if this comes to pass. My county is poor, rural and has no clout at all. Our state rep is a coward and an ass-kisser who does as his RP bosses tell him.

Standing in line at the County Fair for a chance at help, where all your friends and neighbors can see you?! What an evil, f'ked up idea.



MadrasT

(7,237 posts)
5. So now I guess people are supposed to plan that their medical requirements
Mon Apr 8, 2013, 07:51 AM
Apr 2013

will coincide with the annual county fair.

Yeah, that'll work out great...



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