LA County DHS Faces $662M Federal Funding Decline in 2026-27 — 700,000 Residents at Risk of Losing Medi-Cal
The LA County 2026-27 Recommended Budget ($48.8B total) projects a $662.2M decline in federal support for the Department of Health Services to maintain current service levels. Work requirements effective January 2027 could remove Medi-Cal coverage for 700,000 county residents; an additional 47,000 lawfully present immigrants lose full-scope coverage in FY 2026-27. Acting CEO Joseph Nicchitta: 'LA County is currently in the eye of a hurricane.' DHS cuts will drive uninsured patient volume surges at FQHCs as the county's safety-net capacity shrinks. Public budget hearings begin May 6.
Key takeaways
- $662M single-year DHS funding decline — the most specific fiscal figure yet for LA safety-net health services
- 700,000 residents at risk of losing Medi-Cal from work requirements starting January 2027
- Public budget hearings begin May 6 — advocacy window is open now
Primary source
LA County CEOAffected FQHCs
FQHC Talent. (2026, April 14). LA County DHS Faces $662M Federal Funding Decline in 2026-27 — 700,000 Residents at Risk of Losing Medi-Cal. Primary source: LA County CEO. Retrieved April 28, 2026, from https://www.fqhctalent.com/intel/la-county-dhs-662m-federal-decline-fy2027
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