San Francisco Public Workers Rally Against Mayor's Clinic Closures

Layoffs and service cuts hit youth and senior health centers in Tenderloin and Mission

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:00am by

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A warm, nostalgic painting of a single-story medical clinic building set against a backdrop of urban architecture, with the structure bathed in soft, golden light and deep shadows, conveying a sense of melancholy over the loss of this community resource.The impending closure of several community health clinics in San Francisco leaves vulnerable residents without access to essential services.San Francisco Today

Hundreds of public health workers and community members gathered at San Francisco General Hospital to protest the planned closure of three city-run health clinics, including youth centers in the Tenderloin and Haight-Ashbury neighborhoods. The closures are part of a broader round of budget cuts ordered by Mayor Daniel Lurie, which will also result in layoffs across multiple city departments.

Why it matters

The impacted clinics provided critical drop-in care and wraparound services for vulnerable populations, including homeless youth, undocumented immigrants, and low-income seniors. Their closure will leave many residents without access to essential health resources in neighborhoods already facing significant challenges.

The details

The Department of Public Health confirmed plans to 'consolidate' the Cole Street Youth Clinic, the Michael Baxter Larkin Street Youth Clinic, and the Southeast Mission Geriatric clinic, citing low patient volume and citywide budget deficits. Workers at the clinics say the move will devastate the communities they serve, with one Larkin Street employee warning that 'if the clinic is closed, they're not going to come back.' The clinics offered more than just basic medical care, providing counseling, transportation assistance, and a safe space for marginalized groups.

  • The closures are expected to happen by August 2026 or sooner.
  • On April 9, 2026, the city issued layoff notices for 127 positions across multiple departments, including the public health department.

The players

Mayor Daniel Lurie

The mayor of San Francisco who has ordered budget cuts across city departments, including a $40 million reduction to the Department of Public Health's budget.

Department of Public Health

The city agency that oversees the health clinics slated for closure, citing budget constraints as the reason for the consolidation.

Huckleberry Youth Programs

A longtime San Francisco youth service provider that operates the Cole Street Youth Clinic, one of the clinics set to close.

Larkin Street Youth Services

The organization that runs the Michael Baxter Larkin Street Youth Clinic, another clinic facing closure.

Lisa Cadillo

A medical evaluation assistant at the Larkin Street Youth Clinic who says the closure announcement came as a 'total shock' to staff.

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What they’re saying

“If the clinic is closed, they're not going to come back. Then they tell their friends that it's closed.”

— Anonymous worker, Clinic employee

“Even though at our clinic we didn't see that many people, it's not just an easy, 'Okay, let me check your ears and your stomach and have a great day.' When I see my clients, I try to lift them up, because life has torn them down.”

— Lisa Cadillo, Medical evaluation assistant, Larkin Street Youth Clinic

What’s next

The Department of Public Health has said services provided by the clinics will continue despite the closures, but has not provided details on how patients will be transitioned to other facilities.

The takeaway

The closure of these community health clinics, which provided essential services to vulnerable populations, highlights the difficult tradeoffs city leaders face as they grapple with budget shortfalls. The impact on marginalized residents in the Tenderloin and Mission neighborhoods will be immediate and severe.