Representatives of various community groups, health organizations and labor unions announced the creation of a coalition Wednesday calling for a half-cent sales tax in Los Angeles County they say will protect health care services for residents who could lose coverage due to federal cuts to Medi-Cal.
Restore Healthcare for Angelenos is calling on the county Board of Supervisors to place the proposed half-cent tax on the June ballot to offset the federal cuts. If the board does not act, the group plans to organize a petition drive to qualify an initiative for the November ballot.
“Healthcare access is not optional, it is essential,” Jim Mangia, president and CEO of St. John’s Community Health and spokesman for Restore Healthcare for Angelenos, said in a statement. “Without local action, federal cuts will result in people seeking fewer services resulting in overcrowded emergency rooms and worse health outcomes for residents. We are proud to be a part of this coalition and support policy that will protect patients, providers, and the broader public health system when the federal government is failing to do so.”
According to the group, roughly 3.3 million county residents are being impacted to federal cuts to Medi-Cal, primarily affecting Latino and Black communities. In addition to the estimated $30 billion funding cut to Medi-Cal, federal legislation also imposes work and eligibility requirements, including the completion of 80 hours of employment or community work per month.
The group contends the cuts will also slash about $750 million a year from the county Department of Health Services, possibly leading to layoffs of healthcare workers or service cuts at the agency’s four hospitals and various clinics.
According to the group’s proposal, up to 47% of the money raised the sales tax would provide free or reduced cost health services to uninsured, low-income county residents. Another 22% would support the county Department of Health Services and 10% would go to the county Department of Public Health. Additional funding would go to school-based health programs, correctional health services, nonprofit “safety net” hospitals, in-home supportive services and the Long Beach and Pasadena public health departments.
Other organizations joining the new coalition include Service Employees International Union locals 721 and 2015, the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County, Planned Parenthood Advocacy Project LA County, Health Justice Action Fund, and InnerCity Struggle.