. >> my name is larry nelson. i am here to speak to the issue of substance abuse outpatient services. i have worked with these folks for 30 years, so i think i know what i am talking about when i say it is a critical service. it is a catchment for folks that cannot go into residential treatment or are not messed up enough to go into residential treatment, or just cannot tolerate that kind of service. our residential services has a three month to four months waiting list for men. there is no place else for these folks to go except for two and outpatient situation well they are trying to keep their families, jobs, and lives together. i would ask you to once again rescue us from these budget cuts, as you have done year after year. thank you for hearing me. >> i am here as a home care worker. i would also like to speak for my client, who is not able to be here today. i am speaking as health care is a component of our health system. i urge you not to undermine our ability to provide for our home care clients, to keep t

hanson, one from larry nelson. one of the themes is about substance abuse and treatment centers. the city has done a solid job of providing substance-abuse treatment centers. these seem to be on the chopping block due to budget cuts. their concerns that the gains that have been made in helping people turn around the lives, especially in the sector, will now be undermined. how can the department of public health and the city justify these cuts? next, with regard to the "-- closure of community health centers, what is the plan to compensate for that health care need with that perspective closure, not just for residents of district 5, but in the surrounding areas where there is the greatest economic disadvantaged communities? >> hello. i am gregg, the chief finance officer for the health department. let me put this into context. the health department has the largest budget in the city. we have the largest amount of general funds. as a consequence, we are given the largest budget reduction target each year. as much as we would prefer not to have to make any reductions at all, if we d