KFF Health News: LA Safety-Net Clinics Push Half-Cent Sales Tax as Federal and State Cuts Converge
A KFF Health News investigation details how LA County community clinics face simultaneous federal (H.R. 1 Medicaid cuts), state (enrollment freeze, PPS elimination for undocumented), and county funding reductions. Venice Family Clinic reports 80% of its 45,000 patients rely on Medi-Cal. Community health leaders warn of 'closing several health centers' and 'laying off hundreds of staff' without new revenue. The proposed five-year, half-cent county sales tax is the coalition's primary strategy to backfill an estimated $750M/year DHS shortfall by 2028.
Key takeaways
- Venice Family Clinic: 80% of 45,000 patients on Medi-Cal — existential funding risk from triple convergence
- LA County DHS faces $750M/year shortfall by 2028 — half-cent sales tax is primary backfill strategy
- KFF investigation confirms federal + state + county cuts hitting simultaneously — unprecedented for LA safety net
Primary source
KFF Health NewsFQHC Talent. (2026, March 25). KFF Health News: LA Safety-Net Clinics Push Half-Cent Sales Tax as Federal and State Cuts Converge. Primary source: KFF Health News. Retrieved April 28, 2026, from https://www.fqhctalent.com/intel/kff-la-safety-net-clinics-sales-tax-march-2026
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