‘A Threat to Us All’: LA County Health Leaders Slam Policy Cutting Off Undocumented from Care

Exhausted health workers, 2020 (File Photo – Huntington Hospital)

Top health officials in Los Angeles County are speaking out strongly against a recent federal policy change that bars undocumented Californians from accessing key federally funded health and social service programs. The decision, they warn, threatens not only the well-being of vulnerable individuals but also the broader health of entire communities.

By News Desk

In a joint statement issued Thursday, Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Director of LA County Public Health; Dr. Christina Ghaly, Director of LA County Health Services; and Dr. Lisa Wong, Director of LA County Mental Health Services, expressed deep concern over the new federal policy.

“We are deeply saddened by the federal administration’s decision,” the directors said, emphasizing that access to healthcare should be considered a basic human right, regardless of immigration status.

The officials argue that the policy shift could cause severe disruption to physical health, mental health, and substance use programs operated by the county and its community partners — programs they describe as “lifelines” for many residents. By restricting access, they warn, the change may worsen health disparities and deepen systemic inequities.

“When people are afraid to seek care — or are blocked from accessing it altogether — prevention opportunities are limited, illnesses go untreated, mental health crises escalate, and substance use disorders worsen,” the statement read. They further warned that delayed care can lead to more emergency room visits, hospitalizations, homelessness, and the spread of communicable diseases.

Beyond its immediate effects, the policy could also generate a broader “chilling effect,” discouraging even U.S. citizens from seeking care out of fear and uncertainty. Health providers, both public and private, may also face increased strain in maintaining services for their communities.

County health leaders say they are now working to assess the full impact of the federal decision and pledged to continue supporting those in need. They called on federal officials to reverse course and “prioritize the health, dignity, and humanity of every person.”