Los Angeles County Seeks Half-Cent Sales Tax to Shield Safety-Net Clinics from Medi-Cal Cuts
Los Angeles County voters will decide in June 2026 whether to approve a half-cent sales tax to generate approximately $1 billion annually for community health clinics. The proposed tax aims to protect safety-net providers from ongoing state Medi-Cal budget reductions and federal funding cuts. If approved, the measure would take effect following the June ballot. The initiative responds to financial pressures threatening clinic operations and access to care for Medi-Cal enrollees who rely on community clinics for primary care, behavioral health, and other essential services.
The ballot measure represents a local financing strategy to sustain Medicaid provider capacity when state and federal Medicaid appropriations are under pressure, potentially serving as a model for other counties facing similar access threats.