As LA health clinics close,  civic leaders launch foundation to backfill $50M in cuts to public health cuts

Civic leaders in Los Angeles have launched the Fund for Advancing Public Health LA, a privately funded foundation aiming to protect public health services amid nearly $50 million in cuts across all levels of government. The reductions forced seven clinic closures, hitting marginalized communities hardest. The foundation, a public-private partnership headquartered at the Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, will generate new revenue for disease prevention, health promotion, environmental health, and emergency response, while emphasizing cross-sector collaboration to fill funding gaps and ensure equity. Its nine-member board includes LA County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer, actor/activist Sean Penn, and Blue Shield CA CEO Debbie Chang, emphasizing cross-sector collaboration to fill funding gaps and ensure equity.