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Board hears wide-ranging ‘Act for All’ update amid looming federal cuts to health and food programs
Summary
Supervisors received an update from the Act for All ad hoc committee detailing anticipated federal funding cuts — including large projected Medi‑Cal and CalFresh impacts — and discussed creating a consolidated countywide response and outreach strategy ahead of a Sept. 30 work session.
The Alameda County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 23 heard a report from the Act for All ad hoc committee outlining steps the county is taking to protect immigrant communities and the safety net as federal budget and policy changes take effect.
Supervisor Fortunato Bass summarized the committee’s work and said presenters at the Sept. 4 meeting raised urgent concerns about health‑care access, food security, and support for refugees and asylum seekers. He said the county faces “sobering” fiscal impacts, including an estimated more than $150,000,000 annual reduction affecting public hospitals and community clinics and an estimated $70,000,000 annual CalFresh cut for Alameda County residents tied to recent federal changes. The committee is also forwarding a plan that asks for roughly $19,500,000 in annual local funding to shore up food procurement, prepared meals, market‑match programs and coordination among community‑based organizations, he said.
Several supervisors pressed for a more consolidated county response focused on Medi‑Cal reenrollment and outreach. Supervisor Miley said the county needs a single, empowered table for planning, rather than multiple overlapping convenings that duplicate staff time and scatter effort. Supervisor Tam and others echoed the need for a coordinated strategy session where county staff, hospitals and community partners can share data and outreach tactics.
County staff told the board they would consult department heads and return with options for how to allocate responsibilities among standing policy committees or whether to schedule a dedicated work session or strategy meeting. Staff also noted existing efforts — for example, seven community‑based outreach contracts tied to reenrollment work — but said stakeholders requested better centralized information sharing so partners know what other efforts exist.
Why it matters: Supervisors framed the work as a time‑sensitive, countywide problem. Officials emphasized that Medi‑Cal reenrollment and outreach, food support programs, clinic capacity and legal services are interdependent; decisions made now will affect hospital finances, community clinics and residents’ ability to maintain health coverage and housing.
What’s next: Supervisors indicated they expect an informational and possibly action‑oriented item at the Sept. 30 work session. Staff committed to return with options for consolidation, timelines and possible co‑chairs or project management support to coordinate the county’s response.
Quotes
"There is an opportunity to be proactive," Supervisor Fortunato Bass said, urging urgency around Medi‑Cal and outreach strategies.
"We need one consolidated table," Supervisor Miley said, arguing that staff time is being wasted attending many similar meetings across different bodies.
Decisions and votes
This was an informational set matter; no formal vote was taken on new appropriations at this meeting. Staff committed to prepare options for an upcoming work session.
