There were 13 full-service public health clinics in L.A. County. Now there are 6 - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
by Meg TanakaMarch 3, 2026
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Los Angeles County has significantly reduced its public health services by closing seven of its 13 full-service clinics due to severe budget cuts at the federal, state, and local levels. As of February 27, these closures have ended critical services such as vaccinations, STI testing, and TB care at locations including Antelope Valley in Lancaster and Hollywood-Wilshire, among others. The remaining six clinics will continue to operate, but patients are being redirected to nearby community or federally qualified health centers.
The funding reductions, totaling approximately $50 million, have forced the county to make difficult decisions about service availability. Dr. Anish Mahajan, chief deputy director of the L.A. County Department of Public Health, explained that clinics with lower patient volumes were selected for closure. Over the past month, the department has notified patients and provided alternatives for accessing care, including referrals to other county-run facilities or community providers. Notably, public health nurses will still visit TB patients requiring directly observed therapy.
Public health clinics play a vital role in serving low-income and uninsured residents, who make up about half of the county’s patient population. Mahajan noted that these clinics were established before the Affordable Care Act expanded Medi-Cal coverage, leading to reduced demand at some facilities. However, he acknowledged that the closures could strain other safety-net providers, particularly those
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Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 3/3/2026