Save Our Services! Keep Pocasset and Pappas Open!

Governor Maura Healey's proposed budget cuts will have a devastating impact on some of Massachusetts' most vulnerable populations while jeopardizing the jobs of hundreds of mental and public health workers. 

Governor Healey’s budget calls for closing Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children and the Pocasset Mental Health Center, threatening the jobs of hundreds of Union workers including over 150 AFSCME members in Locals 72 and 1517. Massachusetts has a mental and public health crisis! We should be investing and expanding access to healthcare, not closing hospitals and laying off workers, which will only make things worse.

Pappas has offered essential educational, physical, recreational, and social opportunities for generations of students with severe medical conditions and fosters an inclusive community for all students. Pocasset is the only state-run mental health facility serving the Cape and Islands, an area in desperate need of more options to treat or manage patients who are suffering from mental illness. Simply attempting to relocate these specialized services to the western part of the state, which the Governor’s budget envisions, is not a viable solution.

The budget proposed by Governor Healey also potentially raises health insurance costs for tens of thousands of current and retired AFSCME members. 

Get Involved!

Email the Governor Tell Governor Healey that union members oppose the closures of Pappas & Pocasset, the layoffs of DMH caseworkers, and insurance cost hikes! Click HERE!  

Sign the Petition Community members have started a petition aimed at key government decision makers to keep Pappas open and continue the essential and unique services provided there for to some of our most vulnerable youth. Click HERE!

Attend an Event Over the coming months there will be a number of events you can attend to show your support for Pocasset, Pappas, and public health services in Massachusetts.

Here is the current calendar of events:

  • February 11th Pocasset Community Forum
    • 6:00pm-7:30pm
    • 314 Barlows Landing Rd, Pocasset, MA 02559
  • February 14th Pocasset Standout
    • 3:00pm-5pm
    • Bourne Bridge Rotary
  • February 24th Pappas Rally
  • February 25th Massachusetts AFL-CIO Care, Not Cuts Rally

Watch the below video on the amazing work Pappas does to help some of our most vulnerable youth thrive: