Immigration Enforcement Linked to Drop in Healthcare Access

Recent stepped-up immigration enforcement in Los Angeles County may be deterring residents from seeking medical care. Officials are now scrambling to counteract this chilling effect to ensure access to services.

Supervisors Act to Protect Healthcare Access

The L.A. County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a motion directing county agencies to evaluate how increased immigration enforcement is impacting residents’ access to medical appointments and other social services. According to the motion, since June 6, when the federal government increased immigration enforcement, no-shows and cancellations have jumped 30% at **St. John’s** clinics located in Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. Additionally, the no-show and cancellation rate at Los Angeles General Medical Center has doubled to approximately 20%.

Supervisor **Hilda Solis**, who introduced the motion along with Supervisor **Lindsey Horvath**, stated, “We must do what we can to safeguard access to essential health and social services for all of our immigrant communities.”

Motion Seeks to Boost Virtual Access, Food Delivery

The motion also urges county agencies to explore increased virtual options for residents. **Christina Ghaly**, Los Angeles County Health Services Director, noted her department has seen a “huge increase” in phone and video visits. Emergency room visits countywide also decreased between 10% and 25% from May to June.

Beyond healthcare, the motion mandates departments to support at-home food delivery for immigrant communities. The motion also seeks the compilation of resources for parents who may be separated from their children. County departments must also develop a plan for a “grassroots messaging campaign” to inform people about county services available to them.

County Affirms Right to Medical Care

Supervisors also passed a second motion urging hospitals and clinics in the county to affirm the right of all residents to seek medical care, regardless of immigration status. This motion references the federal government’s recent removal of “sensitive areas” guidance that previously restricted immigration agents from entering places like hospitals and schools. As the American Immigration Council reports, this change has had a disproportionate impact on immigrant communities, leading to increased fear and reluctance to seek necessary medical attention (American Immigration Council).

The motion states “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.”

Healthcare Funding Cuts Loom

These actions occur as the county prepares for state and federal cuts to healthcare funding. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, **President Donald Trump’s** “Big Beautiful Bill,” now law, will cut federal spending on Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act by $1 trillion over the next decade. This could cause almost 12 million people to lose health insurance.

California also is scaling back its Medi-Cal program for undocumented people amid a growing deficit.

“We are the provider of last resort,” said Supervisor **Holly Mitchell**, regarding the coming Medicaid cuts. “Of course, we are going to be significantly impacted.”