REPLACE ROBERT SIMON: Cook County Chief of Bureau of Health Services

Nurses and Patients of Cook County IL Demand that Robert Simon be Replaced as Chief of Bureau of Health Services!  Despite the fact that the Cook County Board of Commissioners passed the 2007 budget, we must continue the fight to save our clinics and to restore the cuts in health services.  We must fight how the budget is implemented.  Dr. Simon, as interim Bureau Chief, will proceed to cut primary care in our clinics, and especially care to women and children.  Dr. Simon’s has shown his inability or unwillingness to support and uphold the mission of the Bureau of Health Services “to deliver integrated health services with dignity and respect regardless of a patient’s ability to pay.”  Dr. Simon must go!

Sign our online petition TODAY and ask others to join you in saving Cook County health services!

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Replace Robert Simon as Cook County Chief of Bureau of Health Services!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

We the undersigned patients and residents of Cook County demand that Robert Simon be replaced by a Chief who will restore and save vital health services, and who is willing and able to support and uphold the mission of "advocate[ing] for policies, which promote and protect the physical, mental and social well being of Cook County residents."

Signed by:

Campaign Launched:
March 12, 2007


Background Information

RN/COMMUNITY ALERT: Sign our petition!

Replace Robert Simon as Cook County Chief of Bureau of Health Services

The National Nurses Organizing Committee/California Nurses Association (NNOC/CNA), representing 2,000 nurses throughout the Cook County Bureau of Health Services system is leading the fight against the County's proposed healthcare cuts and is working closely with communities to protect patient health services. Please sign our petition to replace Robert Simon as Chief of Bureau of Health Services in Cook County IL and ask your friends and community members to sign it as well.  He's wrong for the job and has to go!

What's at Stake?

Cook County Commissioners are sparing 400 patronage jobs while slashing hundreds of caregiver jobs and closing clinics throughout the County and Robert Simon is totally on board with this.  Millions of Cook County residents depend on the healthcare system for primary care. 

The RNs have promised to defend their patients against the cuts.  "These cuts are immoral. They will hurt our patients and our communities.  People will be sicker and lives will be lost. It's our duty as nurses to continue this fight until funding for vital healthcare services is restored," said Batu Shakiri, RN.

Why Is This Occurring Now?

In large part because Dr. Simon has the wrong attitude for for his job title.  Below is a direct quote from him:

"I did not come here to help the bum on the street...the could do things for themselves but the won't so who the hell cares about them?"

-Dr. Robert Simon, Cook County Bureau of Health Care Services

What Can You Do?