“After weeks of advocacy from families, patients, and union members, Governor Healey announced a pause to the planned closures of Pappas and Pocasset state hospitals. These facilities are lifelines for children and individuals who rely on the vital care services they provide, and today, we can proudly say that our communities’ voices have been heard.
We are deeply grateful for the tenacity of the community members and providers to whom we owe this progress. This is a testament to the power of solidarity and what we can achieve when we fight together. We will keep working to ensure that this pause is not just a temporary solution and that these facilities receive the ongoing investment they need to continue delivering high-quality care.
This announcement marks significant progress in this fight – and we know it is not the end of it. We cannot lose sight of the ongoing threat to mental health services. Case management services are a lifeline to individuals who rely on this support for stability, health, and safety. These cuts threaten to destabilize a crucial part of our mental health care system, and we cannot let that happen.
We remain committed to protecting mental health services against these cuts, to continue investing in our state hospitals, and to ensuring that all individuals who depend on care services have access to the support they deserve.”
– Dave Foley, SEIU 509 President
