LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles County Public Health Department is closing clinical services at seven of its 13 locations due to serious budget cuts exceeding $50 million from federal, state, and local sources.
Nearly half of the department’s funding comes from federal grants. With this significant loss, the health department is concerned about ongoing service interruptions. The clinics affected previously provided essential services like vaccinations and STD testing.
Dr. Anulika Chilaka, who runs the Lifeline Walk-in Clinic in Torrance, shared her thoughts on the closures. “It’s troubling for those who lose access to care,” she said. Her privately owned clinic won’t face these cuts, which is a relief for her and her patients. “We can focus more on our patients without the same restrictions,” she added.
LA County Supervisor Kathryn Barger addressed the issue, mentioning that the decision stemmed from low patient numbers and limited services at the closed clinics. She assured the community that patients would receive support to find nearby clinics where they can continue their care.
While the closed locations will stop providing clinical services, they will still offer some non-clinical programs. For more details on which clinics will remain operational, you can check the full list here.
As communities adjust to these changes, many are turning to local clinics like Dr. Chilaka’s. These smaller practices are stepping up to ensure patients still have access to necessary healthcare. This shift highlights a growing trend toward community-based health care, especially in times of increasing uncertainty.
Statistics show that community clinics are vital, treating about 25 million patients nationwide every year. Many people are sharing their experiences on social media, voicing concerns about losing access to care while praising local clinics for stepping in to fill the gaps left by public health cuts.
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California, VOD, Cody Taylor, APP Health, SoCal What You Need to Know, Health, Los Angeles (App Region)
