Over 2,000 Los Angelenos Rally for Health Care, Announce Ballot Initiative
FOR PLANNING PURPOSES: Thursday, October 2 2025
Contact: Cabot Petoia | clpetoia@gmail.com | 828-899-9239
Over 2,000 Los Angelenos Rally for Health Care, Announce Ballot Initiative
Health Leaders Demand CA State & LA County Solutions to Care Cuts
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Los Angeles – Today, in the face of the government shutdown and looming cuts to health care at the federal and state level, St. John’s Community Health held a pep rally featuring top California officials alongside health care leaders, patients, and community groups.
At the rally, St. John’s Community Health announced the organization is forming a coalition that will lead a county-wide ballot initiative to raise revenue and counter cuts to health care in California.
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“The Trump administration decimated health care just to give billionaires a tax break,” said Jim Mangia, president and CEO of St. John’s Community Health. “And let’s be clear – the California state cuts initiated by Governor Newsom are just as bad – eliminating health insurance for over 700,000 immigrants.
“Through a county ballot initiative, we will raise hundreds of millions of dollars to save health care for our most vulnerable neighbors,” continued Mangia. “This ballot initiative will come straight from voters, raise revenue to protect the programs our communities need, and serve as an example that can be replicated across the country to undermine Trump’s billionaire tax cuts.”
Speakers included U.S. Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove; California Assemblymember Tina McKinnor; Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Rep. Nanette Barragán; Asm, Mark Gonzalez;
SEIU 721 Secretary Lillian Cabral; Louise McCarthy, Community Clinic Association of LA County (CCALAC); and Rev. Smart, President and CEO of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) of Southern California.
Today’s rally was a strong showing of support for a revenue solution to the steep health care cuts that would kick millions off their health care – including an estimated 30 percent of those on Covered California – and force many hospitals, clinics, and health programs to shutter.
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St. John’s Community Health is a network of community health centers and mobile clinics providing free and low-cost health care in South, Central, and East Los Angeles; the Inland Empire; and the Coachella Valley.