DES MOINES – Iowa labor leaders are citing a poll that shows Iowans oppose the closing of two mental health institutes.
According to the poll from Public Policy Institute, Iowa voters are firm in their opposition to Branstad’s proposal to close the state’s mental health facilities in Clarinda and Mount Pleasant. Just 12% favor that to 68% who are opposed. On that issue there is a pretty clear bipartisan consensus- Democrats (5/84), independents (12/69), and Republicans (19/50) are all opposed to their closure.
AFSCME Iowa Council 61 President Danny Homan issued a statement this week on the poll.
“Iowans overwhelmingly oppose Governor Branstad’s decision to close Clarinda and Mt. Pleasant Mental Health Institutes. 68 percent oppose closing these facilities; only 12 percent support the closings.
“Throughout this entire process, Governor Branstad has ignored the voices of patients and their families, mental health professionals, law enforcement professionals, community leaders, and legislators. He has recklessly charged forward with his plan to close these facilities.
“This poll makes it clear: Iowans oppose these closures. The Governor needs to start listening to Iowans, put mental health services first, and stop barreling towards closing these facilities with no real plan to replace the services they provide to Iowans facing mental health challenges.”
Iowa Federation of Labor (IFL) President, Ken Sagar responded to the poll findings, as well.
“It’s time this governor listens to the people of Iowa and not just to corporations. It is very apparent that Iowans do not what him to close the two state mental health facilities in Mount Pleasant and Clarinda.”
“The Public Policy Poll found that 68 percent of Iowans oppose closing these facilities. This is a clear message that Iowans do not want these facilities closed.”
People should not be pissed off about anyone paying 20 dollars a month for health care stand up and fight for it yourself. But back to the topic out sourcing of public services. Not once when a public service has been outsourced has it lead to a tax break for taxpayers. So this idea that it is good for the people is just not factual. If anyone can sight a time when a public service was outsourced and our taxes were lowered because of it please so me.
I disagree, people do have a right to be pissed off about picking up the majority of a public union members insurance. Especially when they are against paying more than the $20 a month they are paying now.
I, too, am not 100% certain some public services can be outsourced and lower taxes for the public, but I am certain that if a private industry or individual can do it cheaper without my tax dollars involved, then its worth a try.
But if I lose a service that my tax dollars funded and it is outsourced I will still pay at least the same amount in taxes but will have to turn around and pay for the private service. So all that is happening is the taxpayers are getting screwed and being charged twice. I believe if any public service is outsourced then taxes must be lowered an equal amount.
@Buzz-I agree with you. What no one ever thinks of is the taxpayer who gets shafted so they can have insurance for $20.00. Why should they have what the rest of us who pay for them can not?
I think it’s pretty obvious this is about the jobs, not the best interests of the patients. Sort of like the Toledo girls home, 96 employees to watch over 30 kids. I don’t how Homan can keep a straight face when he says this stuff.
Hey Danny….I’d like to see a poll showing the number of Iowans who are pissed off about some of the public union members only paying $20 a month towards their health insurance premium.