Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Some LA Community Health Clinics Have Gotten Financial Relief, For Now
A patient picks up a prescription at the QueensCare Health Center in East Los Angeles. (Leslie Berestein Rojas/LAist)
()
Community health clinics provide care to some of the most vulnerable populations, among them low-wage workers and immigrants who are working essential jobs right now. One in six Californians depend on these clinics for their health care needs.
Last week, LAist reported that some clinics in L.A. have been facing financial struggles due to the coronavirus pandemic. The way the clinics make money is through their patient services, but since COVID-19 struck, their revenue has gone way down.
At the same time, their expenses went up as clinics had to cover things like buying more personal protective equipment for staff. Some clinics were contemplating staff cuts.
One clinic organization, QueensCare Health Centers, was seriously considering furloughs and layoffs. But this week, QueensCare just learned it has received a $3.5 million emergency loan through the federal Small Business Administration's Paycheck Protection Program.
Support for LAist comes from
“We're going to be able to keep our staff on board,” said Barbara Hines, CEO of QueensCare. “And we do have in place plans to pay hazard pay to our providers.”
But not all clinics are in the clear yet. Louise McCarthy, president of Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County, says some clinics aren’t eligible for PPP loans and have begun layoffs.
READ MORE:
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance. -
Censorship has long been controversial. But lately, the issue of who does and doesn’t have the right to restrict kids’ access to books has been heating up across the country in the so-called culture wars.
-
With less to prove than LA, the city is becoming a center of impressive culinary creativity.
-
Nearly 470 sections of guardrailing were stolen in the last fiscal year in L.A. and Ventura counties.
-
Monarch butterflies are on a path to extinction, but there is a way to support them — and maybe see them in your own yard — by planting milkweed.
-
With California voters facing a decision on redistricting this November, Surf City is poised to join the brewing battle over Congressional voting districts.
Best of LAist