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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2026
Contact: media@dhs.lacounty.gov
LA Health Services Takes Action to Protect Patient Care Amid Significant Funding Reductions
LOS ANGELES, CA – LA Health Services announces strategic service relocations to safeguard patient care as a direct response to the unprecedented budget crisis brought on by the Federal and CA State changes to healthcare funding. Changes to Medicaid and Medi-Cal are expected to reduce LA Health Services’ budget by over $700 million, by 2029. A loss of that magnitude is expected to result in difficult choices about the healthcare we will be able to provide to LA County communities.
While the LA Health Services has not yet been forced to close any health centers, it is making operational adjustments to help save money and protect patient care services. As part of these efforts, three community health centers will relocate their services to other LA Health Services health centers.
- Antelope Valley Health Center services will relocate to High Desert Regional Health Center and South Valley Health Center on June 1, 2026.
- Torrance Health Center services will relocate to Bellflower Health Center on June 1, 2026.
- East LA Health Center services will relocate to Edward R. Roybal Comprehensive Health Center on July 1, 2026.
The relocations are the latest steps taken as part of the health system’s Save Our Safety Net (SOS) initiative, which seeks to address financial challenges, optimize resources, maintain patient access, protect jobs, and reduce costs across the system. LA Health Services has already saved over $230 million by reducing reliance on registry and contract staff, managing overtime more tightly, implementing a hiring freeze, standardizing labs and supplies, reducing IT subscriptions and contracts, expanding telehealth and eVisits, and improving care coordination to reduce ER visits and hospitalizations.
The strategic relocations reflect the careful planning and difficult decisions LA Health Services is undertaking to maintain access and quality of care in the face of deep and ongoing budget reductions. While the health system continues doing everything possible to preserve services for LA County communities, continued funding reductions may eventually force additional operational changes. Without State or Federal intervention, federal Medicaid cuts along with State Medi-Cal cuts could significantly impact LA Health Services’ ability to maintain current service levels, preserve access to care, and support the safety-net system serving Los Angeles County’s most vulnerable residents.
LA Health Services continues to prioritize providing primary, preventive, specialty, ongoing, and emergency care to some of the most vulnerable populations in LA County.
About LA Health Services LA Health Services is LA County’s integrated healthcare system and the second-largest public health system in the nation. We operate four hospitals, more than 20 community health centers – including EMS, Correctional Health, and community programs—serving as the safety net for all 10 million residents, regardless of ability to pay, insurance, or immigration status.
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