Do NOT privatize San Francisco’s public health clinics

Potrero-Hill-Health-Ctr-rally-ag-privatizing-Bring-Back-Cheryl-Thornton-042018-by-Labor-Video-Project, Do NOT privatize San Francisco’s public health clinics, Local News & Views
The signs tell the story: “Bring back Cheryl (Thornton)! (San Francisco Public Health Department Director) Barbara Garcia out!” and “Stop racist attack on African American workers!” as labor and community advocates rally outside the popular clinic. – Photo: Labor Video Project

by Labor Video Project 

Community and labor advocates rallied on Friday, April 20, 2018, at the San Francisco Potrero Hill Health Center to call for an end to the privatization of the center by Department of Public Health Director Barbara Garcia and also the retaliation against the center’s worker Cheryl Thornton, who is a member of SEIU 1021. The management has a history of workplace bullying and racist work practices against the African American workers.

Community members are angry that the clinic, which was founded after a long struggle, is being destroyed by city privatizers.

There was also a previous rally to oppose the systemic racist policies at other San Francisco neighborhood healthcare centers. The rally was sponsored by the Patient Advisory Board for Potrero Hill Health Center.

Patients demand an end to privatization and racism at community health clinics

by Patients Advisory Board of Potrero Hill Health Clinic

Thousands of San Francisco families and residents rely on the services facilitated by the City’s Department of Public Health (DPH). We expect this important city to live up to our shared values of fairness, collaboration and respect. Our city’s health and well-being depend on it.

The New York Times recently published a series of articles about the dangers of privatizing public services, the first of which was called “When You Dial 911 and Wall Street Answers.” Over the years, the Times has published other exposés of privatized services, like hospitals, health care, prisons, ambulances and preschool for children with disabilities.

In some cities and states, even libraries and water have been privatized. No public service is immune from takeover by corporations that say they can provide comparable or better quality at a lower cost. The New York Times said that since the 2008 financial crisis, private equity firms “have increasingly taken over a wide array of civic and financial services that are central to American life.”

Potrero-Hill-Health-Ctr-rally-ag-privatizing-young-mother-children-042018-by-Labor-Video-Project, Do NOT privatize San Francisco’s public health clinics, Local News & Views
A young mother who counts on the Potrero Hill Health Center to care for her family joins the protest with her children. – Photo: Labor Video Project

Privatization means that a public service is taken over by a for-profit business, whose highest goal is profit. Investors expect a profit when a business moves into a new venture. The new corporation operating the hospital or the prison or the fire department cuts costs by every means to increase profits.

Thousands of San Francisco families and residents rely on the services facilitated by the City’s Department of Public Health (DPH). We expect this important city to live up to our shared values of fairness, collaboration and respect. Our city’s health and well-being depend on it.

When possible, it eliminates unions, raises prices to consumers – even charging homeowners for putting out fires – cuts workers’ benefits, expands working hours and lays off veteran employees who earn the most. The consequences can be dangerous to ordinary citizens.

Privatization means that a public service is taken over by a for-profit business, whose highest goal is profit.

That’s why it’s troubling to learn that management at DPH refuses to address the staffing and workload issues that are negatively impacting public services. Employees who do important yet often overlooked work are also facing threats to their job security, with the reduction of their duties and responsibilities.

In addition to being unresponsive to issues related to staffing and workload, workers report that management is disproportionately disciplining African American employees and separating them from probation at alarming rates.

Discrimination has no place in our city. Together we must use our power in numbers and demand that DPH investigate how management is unfairly using disciplines and separations from probation. We must end the fear and intimidation of our coworkers.

Potrero-Hill-Health-Ctr-rally-ag-privatizing-center-042018-by-Labor-Video-Project, Do NOT privatize San Francisco’s public health clinics, Local News & Views
A community member in front of the Potrero Hill Health Center protests the policy of the Department of Public Health and Director Barbara Garcia to privatize the centers. The community demands Cheryl Thornton be returned to her work at the center. – Photo: Labor Video Project

Petition to Director of Public Health Barbara A. Garcia

Readers are encouraged to sign this Change.org petition, Stop Privatization of SF Neighborhood Health Centers and Stop Racist Discrimination, and a second one, Demand Fairness and Respect at San Francisco’s Department of Public Health: :

We, the undersigned Department of Public Health employees and community members wish to notify you of our utmost concern over the department’s reductions in staff regarding physicians, nurses and operation supervisors.

We have created a list of demands: 1) STOP the privatization of the Potrero Hill clinic; 2) Restore staffing levels so patients have access to healthcare in a timely manner; 3) Terminate Dr. Halie Hammer for mismanagement of the clinic and aiding in the gentrification of our community; 4) Support creating a citywide Patient Advisory Council that meets and reports to City Hall to ensure services are being maintained; 5) RESTORE the 1408 Principal Clerk to the Potrero Hill clinic; 6) Demonstrate equity and cultural competency in staffing our clinic.

The Patients Advisory Board of Potrero Hill Health Clinic can be reached at patientadvisoryph@gmail.com.