LA County health chiefs warn program cuts likely as state, federal funding shifts

Los Angeles — Department of Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer and Department of Mental Health Director Lisa Wong told the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Feb. 13 that their departments face mounting budget and program risks as state and federal funding changes take effect.

Ferrer said the Public Health Department’s current annual budget is about $1.9 billion, with roughly 70% from state and federal grants, fees and local grants making up smaller shares and the county contributing about 13% ($255 million). She reported 5,500 positions in the department with 1,300 vacancies — about 800 of which are unfunded — and described a hiring freeze that limits filling nonessential roles.

Why it matters: Supervisors were briefed on specific program impacts and near-term requests. Ferrer said the department has already lost more than $50 million in grant funding and was told an additional $64 million would be terminated; she said the attorney general secured a temporary restraining order that pauses that termination for 14 days while the county pursues legal relief. Ferrer said the department will prioritize statutory…