Public reaction to the proposed closure of the Broome County Mental Health Facility can be described as frustration, anger and outrage according to the comments of politicians, law enforcement, health professionals and patients during a public hearing last night at the Broome County Library. After more than 40 years of serving the county, the nonprofit clinic is expected to be shut down. Officials said Medicaid reimbursement changes for government health facilities made it impossible to afford its operation. But speakers at the forum made it clear that closing the clinic is a mistake for which the community will pay in the long run. One major concern is the overwhelming number of mentally ill people in the prison system that are not getting the care they desperately need. People also spoke about the loss of jobs for clinic employees, the extensive waits times for appointments and the risk of suicide or self-injury for those who aren’t getting the help they need. The clinic has continued to shrink its operations in recent years. It remains unknown exactly when their doors will close for good.
