CEO Mitesh Popat, MD spoke about the urgency of preserving the health care safety net locally.
In the wake of federal and state budget cuts that will devastate Los Angeles County health care funding this year and in the years to come, Venice Family Clinic is taking action to safeguard public hospitals, health departments and community clinics like ours.
We are joining with community partners in the newly-formed Restore Healthcare for Angelenos coalition to support an exploratory county measure. The proposed L.A. County Emergency and Essential Healthcare Restoration measure would establish a ½ cent sales tax to fund essential health care services cut by the passage of President Donald Trump’s budget bill.
To announce the new coalition and exploratory measure, on January 28, 2026 Venice Family Clinic welcomed our partners at St. John’s, Community Clinic Association of Los Angeles County (CCALAC), Planned Parenthood and other organizations to our Inglewood La Brea clinic for a press conference and demonstration of solidarity.
“We’re only as healthy as the most vulnerable members of our community,” Venice Family Clinic CEO Mitesh Popat said. “For the sake of all Angelenos, we must protect continuity of care and essential services for those who otherwise would be forced to go without.”
Photos courtesy of the Restore Healthcare for Angelenos coalition
Clinicians and patients from across the city came together to show the urgency of this measure. Venice Family Clinic patient and consumer board member Sharon Gelfand shared how receiving treatment from director of homeless healthcare Coley King, D.O., for Multiple Sclerosis while she was experiencing homelessness transformed her life.
“I remember what it was like to face a serious illness without a team behind me – and I know how life-changing it was to have Venice Family Clinic on my side,” Gelfand said. “I’m living proof of how quality health care from a community health center can change everything.”
You can read more about The proposed L.A. County Emergency and Essential Healthcare Restoration Measure on CalMatters.