Health Clinic to Abruptly Close

These are tough times for health care services in the city.

This week it was announced that Lyon-Martin Health Services will be closing on Thursday. The organization dates back 30 years, and provides medical services to low-income woman and transgender people.

The closing comes on the heels of the shuttering of New Leaf, another health agency that served the LGBT community. When New Leaf closed, Lyon-Martin took some of their clients.

Lyon-Martin served several thousand people last year. Without the preventative care and interventions provided by the organization, health care expenses could skyrocket for people who are already vulnerable.

"This is truly a sad day for San Francisco. We are losing an independent community clinic that made comprehensive health services available to many people that may otherwise have nowhere else to turn," said Lyon-Martin’s Board President, Lauren Winter.

The organization was faced with a debt of $500,000. If they can raise half of that amount, they may be able to continue existing, albeit in a reduced state.