About 810,000, or 1 in 10, Los Angeles County adults together owe more than $2.6 billion in medical debt as of 2021, a new analysis has found — a staggering sum that suggests extending health coverage to more people doesn’t necessarily protect them from burdensome debt. medical debt disproportionately affects the uninsured and underinsured, low-income residents, and Black and Latino populations. It said the consequences are alarming, noting that debt negatively impacts factors that determine future health outcomes, such as housing, employment, food security, and access to prescriptions and health care.
Tag: Los Angeles County
COMMENTARY: Tributes to Trailblazer Gloria Molina
Molina was the first Latina elected to the California State Assembly and served there from 1983-1987, and then became the first Latina elected to the Los Angeles City Council in 1987, followed by being the first Latina elected to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in 1991. She served on the powerful and influential county board for 23 years, retiring in 2014 due to term limits, capping 32 years in public service in the state’s largest city and the second-most populous in the country.
Anti-Hate Project: LA County Hate Crime Report shows violence is on the rise
The Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations released its annual LA County Hate Crime Report last month on December 7. As the new year begins, the high level of hate crimes portrayed in the report brings heavy concern about the state of the city. The report shows the number of hate crimes in LA County has reached the highest number in the last 19 years. Reported hate crimes in LA County grew 23% from 641 in 2020 to 786 in 2021. This is the largest number recorded since 2002. The Latino community was also a prime target in 2021. They were the second-largest group of victims.
VERONIQUE DIAZ, Latina healthcare worker shares pandemic experience
Diaz is a mother of three children; two boys and a girl. She started as a volunteer at Clinica Romero when one of her children was in high school. “Someone from Clinica Romero gave us a workshop one day and I raised my hand and participated,” Diaz said. Around that time, a promotora from Clinica Romero mentioned to Diaz that she would be a good candidate as a community health worker. “I told the promotora I was too shy for that and that I couldn’t do that, but she convinced me and here I am, six years later.
EDITORIAL: Hate crimes on the rise in LA County
Hate crimes rose in Los Angeles County to the highest level in 20 years but many still go unreported.
United Against Hate Week, what you should know
The Los Angeles County United Against Hate Week ends on Nov. 19 and is intended to urge local communities, neighborhoods, and cities to reject hate and bigotry and promote inclusion. The annual event is part of LA vs. Hate – a project of the LA County Commission on Human Relations.
CALÓ COMMENTARY: Police killings of Latinos are too often ignored
While many ethical and responsible officers exist, police violence cannot be attributed to the actions of a few rogue cops. The everlasting questioning of Latinx people’s belonging in the U.S., the unchallenged accounts of Latinx individuals’ criminality, and the veiled over-policing that occurs in segregated neighborhoods makes Latinx neighborhoods vulnerable to police violence.
Police killings of Latinos are too often ignored
While many ethical and responsible officers exist, police violence cannot be attributed to the actions of a few rogue cops. The everlasting questioning of Latinx people’s belonging in the U.S., the unchallenged accounts of Latinx individuals’ criminality, and the veiled over-policing that occurs in segregated neighborhoods makes Latinx neighborhoods vulnerable to police violence.
No proof of citizenship? Have no fear, full-scope Medi-Cal is here
Under a new law called “Older Adult Expansion,” low-income immigrants 50 and older will be eligible for full-scope Medi-Cal despite immigration status.