LOS ANGELES – January 12, 2026 –  Governor Newsom kicked off California’s 2026-27 budget process with the release of his budget proposal. The main takeaway: the real budget news will come in May. At that time, California will need to address the negative impact of H.R. 1 and other federal policies, along with the State’s significant structural deficit. In the meantime, the proposed budget only assumes a $2.9 billion shortfall for the fiscal year, compared to the Legislative Analyst’s Office projection of an $18 billion deficit.  

While the Governor’s budget proposal doesn’t make drastic new cuts to Medi-Cal, it does continue last year’s unfair changes to Medi-Cal eligibility and benefits for immigrants, along with reduced payments to health centers for serving them. We are disheartened by the Governor’s proposal to eliminate full scope Medi-Cal coverage for certain immigrants, including refugees, ...

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LOS ANGELES – August 4, 2025 – The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) announced awards of more than $53 million in funding to 52 Health Center Controlled Networks (HCCNs) across the nation. Among the awardees, the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC) will receive $1.45 million per year over the next three years to support 46 health centers in Los Angeles County. This is CCALAC’s fifth consecutive award.

HCCNs provide technical assistance to community health centers, leveraging health information technology and data to enhance how they deliver affordable, accessible, and high-quality primary care.  The HRSA awards will enable HCCNs nationwide to support more than 1,300 health centers.

In the last three-year grant cycle, members of the Los Angeles network received nearly 6,000 specialized technical assistance support hours, resulting in enhanced patient and provider experiences, improvements in data exchange, and data ...

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LOS ANGELES – July 3, 2025 – This week, the U.S. Congress passed a devastating budget reconciliation bill that jeopardizes health care for millions of Americans, including community clinic and health center patients. This dangerous and irresponsible new law will impose unnecessary and burdensome new bureaucratic hurdles, such as increased paperwork and more frequent eligibility redeterminations, that will force nearly 12 million people to lose Medicaid coverage over the next decade.

Los Angeles County clinics and health centers serve more than two million people each year, three quarters of whom have low incomes and rely on the Medicaid program for health care. Health centers already operate on razor-thin margins and will struggle to provide care without reimbursement to newly uninsured patients who lose their Medicaid coverage. Health center outreach and enrollment staff will be overwhelmed by the need to help patients ...

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LOS ANGELES – June 30, 2025 – Over the weekend, Governor Gavin Newsom signed California’s 2025-26 fiscal year budget – a budget that addresses the state’s fiscal challenges at the expense of its most under-resourced residents and the health care safety net. The budget comes as state leaders, health providers, and residents are struggling with high levels of uncertainty and anxiety about the future with the threat of federal cuts looming.

Starting in January, the budget will freeze Medi-Cal enrollment for adults who have unsatisfactory immigration status, and in July of next year it will eliminate full scope dental coverage for this population. These changes are a dramatic pullback from the state’s values and promises to expand health care coverage and access for all. Loss of coverage will undo years of progress in building healthy communities.

The budget will also eliminate Prospective ...

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LOS ANGELES – May 14, 2025 – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his May Revision budget proposal for the 2025-26 fiscal year. The budget identifies $12 billion in corrective proposals to balance the budget and maintain reserves. The Governor attributes a projected $16 billion reduction in state revenue to federal policies and actions but does not otherwise incorporate any projected effects of federal cuts currently under consideration in Congress.  

Health centers are dismayed to see proposals that will weaken recent Medi-Cal expansions and reduce access to care for our patients. The May Revision proposes to freeze enrollment for Health4All expansion adults starting in January 2026 and add a $100 monthly premium for those adults who remain enrolled beginning in January 2027. It also calls for the elimination of full-scope dental coverage, in-home supportive services, and long-term care benefits for this population. ...

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Today Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was confirmed as the new Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In this role, Secretary Kennedy will oversee several agencies and programs that directly impact the health and wellbeing of Americans. 

HHS is a critical partner for community health centers (CHCs), whose mission is to promote the health of their communities and ensure access to high quality health care services. Through Medicaid, the community health center program, public health, and more, HHS can support access to comprehensive physical and mental health services, health promotion, and chronic disease prevention for under-resourced individuals and families. Without ongoing, robust support for these programs, the health and economic wellbeing of communities across America will falter. 

On behalf of Los Angeles’ CHCs, which serve over 2 million patients each year, the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles ...

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LOS ANGELES – Jan. 13, 2025 – On Friday the California Department of Finance unveiled Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2025-26 state budget proposal of $322 billion, projected to be the second largest state spending plan ever. Following last year’s deficit, the state anticipates a modest budget surplus, thanks in part to $17 billion in unanticipated revenue. 

California’s improved revenue outlook alongside the Governor’s commitment to protecting health care investments is encouraging. The budget retains Medi-Cal expansions to all income-eligible people, funding for the non‐hospital clinic 340B Supplemental Payment Program and investments in behavioral health services.  

The budget proposal excludes, however, funding for renewing the Health Enrollment Navigators project. This project funds partnerships across the state, including a robust network of health centers and community-based organizations in Los Angeles County, to expand direct support for individuals seeking to enroll in health care programs. Navigators ...

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LOS ANGELES – Jan. 9, 2025 – This week, some of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles County history have claimed lives and destroyed homes, landmarks, and businesses.

Community health centers and the communities they serve have been impacted. One health center was completely destroyed, some were damaged, and many had to close or alter their operations due to evacuations, staffing and air quality concerns. 

The safety and health of staff and patients is paramount. Health centers have expanded telehealth services to maintain services for patients served by sites that have closed. Facilities that remain open are supporting their staff and communities by providing masks and connecting people with resources, as well as providing medical services at evacuation sites.

The Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County team is deeply saddened by the losses and we know the road ahead for ...

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LOS ANGELES – Nov. 6, 2024 – This week California voters approved Proposition 35, the landmark measure that secures dedicated, ongoing funding for the Medi-Cal program. Medi-Cal serves 15 million Californians, including half of all children, seniors, families with low incomes, and persons with disabilities.

After years of underinvestment in the Medi-Cal program, Prop 35 represents a historic investment in community health centers, workforce training and education, expanded access to primary and specialty care, and reduced overcrowding of emergency rooms.

“We are elated by the approval of Prop 35,” said Louise McCarthy, President & CEO of the Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC). “We are grateful to California voters and to the broad coalition of community health centers, health care workers, Planned Parenthood, and community-based organizations from across California whose support and get-out-the-vote efforts helped get Prop 35 across the ...

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