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 ...

Read Full Article  

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 ...

Read Full Article  

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 ...

Read Full Article  

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 ...

Read Full Article  

For Immediate Release July 25, 2024

CONTACT: Press@VoteYes35.com

Prop 35 will help address Los Angeles’ most urgent health care priorities

Los Angeles, CA – As Los Angeles faces a deepening health care crisis, local physicians, business leaders, hospitals, community health centers, emergency responders and hundreds of other organizations are calling on voters to support Proposition 35 on the November ballot. The initiative will address our region’s most urgent health care problems by significantly expanding access to quality care.

“As a family physician, I have dedicated my career to ensuring my patients have access to essential health care regardless of their type of coverage,” said Hector Flores, MD, a member of the Los Angeles County Medical Association. “But the reality is that many Angelenos face serious hurdles in getting the care they deserve. Proposition 35 will expand patient access to primary care doctors and to the specialty care that ...

Read Full Article  

LOS ANGELES – June 28, 2024 – This week, the legislature passed and Governor Gavin Newsom is in the process of signing a series of budget bills for the 2024-25 fiscal year that reaffirm the state’s commitment to Health4All, while addressing a historic budget deficit. The budget maintains California’s leadership in expanding health care coverage but pulls back from critically needed investments to improve Medi-Cal members’ access to care.

We applaud the Governor and legislature’s decision to preserve the expansion of Medi-Cal to all income-eligible people, including In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) for all Californians with Medi-Cal. IHSS helps ensure residents with low incomes who are elderly, blind or disabled (including children) get the support they need at home, promoting well-being and reducing the need for expensive out-of-home care. Additionally, the budget retains the optional Medi-Cal acupuncture benefit.

Yet, patients can only obtain ...

Read Full Article  

LOS ANGELES – May 10, 2024 – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his May Revision budget proposal for the 2024-25 fiscal year, which aims to address California’s significant budget deficit. After an early action budget package that included $17.3 billion of solutions, the Governor projects a remaining $27.6 billion budget problem. While the proposal protects most core services, it also includes cuts and reductions that will jeopardize access to care and services for millions of California’s lowest-income residents. The proposal protects, with some exceptions, the state’s historic Medi-Cal expansion to all income-eligible people but cuts critical workforce funding.

The Newsom Administration has repeatedly demonstrated its commitment to ensuring all Californians can access health care through expansions of Medi-Cal eligibility. For coverage to translate into meaningful access, however, the state must invest in the providers and facilities that patients depend on.

We applaud the proposal ...

Read Full Article  

Initiative will expand access to healthcare services and improve care for all Californians

Sacramento, CA – The Coalition to Protect Access to Care has submitted more than 800,000 signatures to county registrars throughout California to qualify the Protect Access to Healthcare Initiative for the November 2024 ballot.

The initiative leverages existing federal funding to expand access to care for patients across California. It will protect the historic investment made by a bipartisan group of state leaders to provide stability for patients and healthcare providers.

California’s healthcare system is in crisis. In rural and urban communities alike, hospitals are closing, doctors offices are having to shut their doors, and community health centers and emergency departments are struggling to meet the needs of communities across our state. Without raising existing taxes, this measure – which has broad, bipartisan support –  will ensure our ...

Read Full Article