Residents urge St. Clair County to keep family‑planning services as Medical Director draws scrutiny

Dozens of residents and health workers urged the St. Clair County Board of Commissioners on June 18 to preserve the county’s family‑planning services and Title X funding, saying the programs provide essential screening, contraception and referrals for uninsured and rural residents.

"I would like to address this Board of Commissioners," said Mary Christine Fleischer, a registered nurse, who told commissioners she found it "unacceptable" that the county was considering ending Title X family‑planning services and said Dr. Nevin's presentation at the health board omitted clinical context about contraceptive options and counseling. Mary Lou Kramer, who credited county clinic care for detecting her ovarian cancer and arranging specialist follow‑up, told the board that closing clinics would risk lives: "You cannot throw away a half a million dollars on a program that saved my life." Patrice Platt, a family‑planning nurse, told the board that many clients are unable to obtain care from primary‑care physicians and rely on the county clinic for confidential services and screening.

Speakers included clinicians, school and civic leaders, and residents with personal medical anecdotes. Several emphasized screening for cervical cancer and sexually transmitted infections, education on contraception and confidentiality for teens. "We do a lot of education... Most importantly, the education provided by our team for healthy pregnancy, contraceptives and STIs in a confidential, non‑judgmental facility is of utmost importance," Patrice Platt said.

Public testimony also included criticism of the health department’s leadership. Multiple speakers cited an internal HR report and accused Medical Director Dr. Remington Nevin of creating a "toxic workplace," raising concerns about retaliation and staff safety. Barbara Payton said the board was witnessing "an unprecedented systematic demolition of our public health infrastructure," and urged commissioners to reject recommendations to decline Title X funds. Several speakers referenced FOIA requests and prior advocacy by Dr. Nevin concerning the Michigan Care Improvement Registry; some supporters credited that work for increases in transparency and opt‑out awareness.

The board did not take a final vote on Title X at the meeting. Administrator Tom and the advisory bodies were described in testimony as continuing review processes; speakers urged commissioners to retain grants and maintain local clinics rather than transfer services to non‑county providers. Commissioner Rushing had earlier flagged Title X as an item under consideration at the Advisory Board of Health, and the administrator said staff are examining funding and legal implications before any final board action.

The meeting’s public‑comment session recorded strong divisions in the community: many speakers urged preservation of county family‑planning services and federal funds, while others supported or defended changes advocated by the medical director. The board did not adopt a measure to discontinue Title X funding during the meeting; commissioners asked the administrator to continue preparing contract language, staffing options and fiscal scenarios for future consideration.