Los Angeles County supervisors Holly Mitchell and Hilda Solis are proposing a half-cent sales tax increase to offset substantial cuts to county healthcare services stemming from federal legislation. The proposal will be considered by the five-member board at a meeting on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m., with the goal of placing the measure on the June 2 primary ballot.
Healthcare Funding at Risk
The proposed tax, which would raise approximately $1 billion annually for five years before sunsetting on October 1, 2031, is a response to funding reductions enacted through the federal H.R. 1 law, likewise known as the “Huge Beautiful Bill,” adopted in July 2025. These cuts are expected to result in a loss of $750 million per year for the county’s Department of Health Services, and an additional $200 to $300 million in losses for the Department of Public Health.
The cuts impact 3.3 million low-income residents who rely on Medi-Cal, and have already led to approximately 120,000 people being dropped from Medi-Cal enrollment between July and November 2025, including 27,000 children. New rules regarding coverage renewal, work requirements, and coverage for non-citizens are also contributing to the loss of access.
Potential Impacts of Funding Shortfall
Without additional funding, the county anticipates cuts to emergency rooms and 23 county clinics, with potential closures. Hospitals expected to be most affected include Los Angeles General Medical Center, Olive View Medical Center, Rancho Los Amigos, and Harbor-UCLA Medical Center. Supervisors Solis and Mitchell have expressed concern that individuals losing Medi-Cal coverage may overwhelm county hospital emergency rooms, creating an “overcrowding crisis.”
A coalition of clinic operators, patients, and public employee unions, called Restore Healthcare for Angelenos, supports the tax measure. Preliminary polling suggests 58% of county residents would support the tax increase. If the Board of Supervisors does not approve placing the measure on the June 2 ballot, the coalition has indicated it will pursue a signature-gathering campaign to qualify it for the November ballot.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the proposed tax increase?
The proposed half-cent sales tax increase is intended to offset cuts to county healthcare services resulting from federal funding reductions.
Who would be affected by the federal funding cuts?
The cuts to Medicaid, known as Medi-Cal in California, affect 3.3 million low-income county residents. Hundreds of thousands may lose coverage, and county healthcare services will be reduced.
What happens if the tax measure is not approved?
If the Board of Supervisors does not place the measure on the June 2 ballot, the coalition Restore Healthcare for Angelenos has said it will gather signatures to qualify it for the November ballot.
As Los Angeles County considers this significant financial decision, what role should local measures play in safeguarding essential services when federal funding is reduced?
