This article is reprinted from the Speak Out Now healthcare newsletter at Highland Hospital in Oakland, CA.
Last week’s Board of Trustees meeting kicked off with over two hours of public comment about the recent layoffs, despite speakers being limited to one minute each. Speakers included AHS workers from across the healthcare system who stood up for their patients and demanded that the board stop these cuts. Physicians and department heads educated the board about how senselessly these cuts were made, and how much harm they were doing to patients. The most powerful speakers were patients themselves, giving passionate speeches about how AHS had saved their lives.
The board replied with nothing more than a handful of questions which painfully demonstrated that they did not even understand what cuts they had made or what the implications would be.
Earlier in the day, AHS workers assembled in Sacramento to lobby senators and demand that health care for our community be protected. Notably absent from this action were any members of the board or executive team, who couldn’t be bothered to find a way to balance the budget other than slashing services.
AHS workers are ready to fight for the healthcare of their community! Share your voice at the next planned action: the Board of Supervisors meeting on Jan. 27th.
Click here to read the article printed in the 01-21-26 Healthcare Newsletter
