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LA County is looking into more remote options for health patients in the wake of federal immigration sweeps
A family walks outside a St. John’s Community Health clinic in South Los Angeles.
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Jackie Fortiér
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KFF Health News
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No-shows at some local hospitals and clinics have increased since immigration agents descended on Los Angeles last month, according to the L.A. County Board of Supervisors.
St. John's clinics in Los Angeles and the Inland Empire have seen cancellations and appointment absences increase to 30% since June 6, when the federal government began enhanced enforcement. Los Angeles General Medical Center's no-show and cancellation rates have doubled to around 20%.
Those figures are cited in a motion unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors Tuesday directing county agencies to assess how the increased immigration actions are affecting patient access to needed medical appointments and other social services.
" We must do what we can to safeguard access to essential health and social services for all of our immigrant communities," said Supervisor Hilda Solis, who introduced the motion with Supervisor Lindsey Horvath.
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The motion also asks those agencies to look into increasing virtual options for Angelenos.
Los Angeles County Health Services Director Christina Ghaly said her department has seen a "huge increase" in the number of phone and video visits for people who don't want to come in person.
She said emergency room visits in the county are down, too. Visits dropped between 10% and 25% from May to June.
What does the motion do?
The motion orders the Departments of Health Services, Public Health and other relevant departments to assess how immigration enforcement has affected access to services, and increase virtual options for people when possible.
It also directs county departments to support at-home food delivery for immigrant communities, compile resources for parents who may be separated from their children, and develop a plan for a "grassroots messaging campaign" to inform people about county services available to them.
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A second motion passed by the supervisors called on hospitals and clinics in the county to affirm the right of all Angelenos to seek medical care. It referenced the federal government's recent removal of "sensitive areas” guidance that prohibited immigration agents from entering places like hospitals and schools.
"This has led to a chilling effect on immigrants seeking medical care, the impact of which extends beyond the health of the individual to that of society as a whole," that motion states.
What are the other implications?
The moves come as the county braces for state and federal cuts to healthcare funding.
President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," which is now law, will cut federal spending on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act by $1 trillion over the next decade. This could lead an additional nearly 12 million people to lose health insurance, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.
Meanwhile, California is scaling back its Medi-Cal program for undocumented people as it faces a growing deficit.
" We are the provider of last resort," said Supervisor Holly Mitchell, referencing coming cuts to Medicaid. "Of course, we are going to be significantly impacted."
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