Behavioral Health Services

LA Measure ER on June 2 Ballot — 'Essential Services Restoration Act' Polling 45/47 Against, 12 Days to ~$1B/yr Safety-Net Backfill Vote

Los Angeles County Measure ER — officially the 'Essential Services Restoration Act for Los Angeles County' — heads to voters June 2, 2026 with polling showing 47% opposed vs. 45% in favor. The half-cent sales tax (0.5%) for 5 years (Oct 2026 → 2031) generates ~$1B/year for safety-net hospitals and clinics. Exclusions: groceries, prescription drugs, medical equipment. If it fails: LA County FQHCs lose key state/local backfill against ~$1.5B in federal cuts; KFF reports DHS's $6.5B budget is 70% Medicaid-dependent with $750M revenue loss by FY2027-28 (~10% revenue loss); some LA clinic networks could lose 20% of annual budget. Strategic implication for LA FQHC executives: (1) Mobilize patient/community voter education TODAY — 12-day window; (2) Brief boards on Plan B scenarios for failure case (Sept 2026 budget revisions, layoff timing, sliding-fee expansion costs); (3) Coordinate get-out-the-vote with CCALAC's 450+ LA County health center site network; (4) Engage AltaMed, St. John's, LA LGBT Center, Eisner, Watts, Venice Family, Northeast Valley, T.H.E., El Proyecto, Clinica Romero on coordinated messaging before June 2.