Measure ER intends to bring back healthcare benefits for the most vulnerable in LA County

Health care advocates are concerned and looking for solutions as thousands of people continue to lose their Medi-Cal benefits as a result of federal funding cuts. Since 2025, when H.R.1, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” was signed by President Donald Trump, there have been massive cuts to public assistance programs and Medicaid, known as Medi-Cal in California. 

In Los Angeles County, at least 1,100 people per day lose their Medi-Cal coverage, according to the Department of Public Social Services (DPSS).

One out of five of them are children. Data shows so far 787 infants, 4,000 toddlers and over 15,000 school-age children were left without Medi-Cal. 

Jim Mangia, president and CEO of St. John’s Community Health Clinic in South Los Angeles, said hundreds of thousands of Angelenos have already been impacted by federal funding cuts, and the number is expected to continue to grow if something is not done soon. 

“This is not a warning; this healthcare crisis is happening now,” Mangia said. 

So far, seven L.A. County's public health clinics have closed following federal cuts to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which provides grant funding to state, tribal and community health organizations.

These grants are not expected to reopen these clinics and the patients who attended those clinics have been moved into facilities that face the same threat of closure. Data indicates that every lost Medi-Cal dollar translates to $1.85 in lost economic output, and across L.A. County, the cuts put 63,800 jobs and $9 billion a year at risk.

While the cuts are being done at the national level, there are areas that are more affected than others. South L.A. is one of them. The sharpest declines are among the most vulnerable. For example, in Compton, children ages one to five are disenrolling at rates of up to 9% and young adults between 21 and 24 are dropping off at 6 to 9% across multiple cities.

“When people lose access to care, premiums go up, ER wait times increase and our entire healthcare system becomes so strained that it worsens the affordability crisis,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, who represents South L.A. and authored the motion to place Measure ER on the ballot.

The solution: Measure ER

Advocates hope voters in L.A. County can provide some relief during the June 2 elections with the approval of Measure ER, formerly known as the Essential Services Restoration Act, committed to minimizing the impact of rising healthcare costs for all residents. The measure proposes a temporary half-cent funding measure to generate revenue for community clinics, emergency rooms and public health services.

“Half-a-penny is a small price for a huge impact: making sure our county has the resources to provide comprehensive health services to everyone, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay,” Mangia said.   

“We cannot wait for Washington to act. I am urging every voter in Los Angeles County to vote yes on Measure ER on June 2nd. It’s up to us to protect our communities now,” Mitchell said.