LA County Proposes Half-Cent Healthcare Sales Tax

Measure aims to offset $2.4 billion in federal healthcare funding cuts

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors voted 4-1 to place a half-cent sales tax increase on the June 2026 ballot to help plug a $2.4 billion gap in healthcare services created by federal funding cuts. The tax would fund county-run clinics, hospitals, and public health programs.

Why it matters

The proposed tax hike is a response to significant reductions in federal Medicaid (Medi-Cal) funding for LA County, which provides healthcare coverage for low-income residents. Without this new revenue, the county would be forced to scale back critical medical services and public health initiatives.

The details

The sales tax measure was sponsored by Supervisors Holly Mitchell and Hilda Solis, who said it would allow voters to decide whether to support increased funding for county healthcare services. If approved, the tax would establish a citizens' oversight committee to ensure fiscal accountability through annual audits. The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association has criticized the proposal, arguing the sales tax is already too high in LA County.

  • The Board of Supervisors voted on February 10, 2026 to place the measure on the June 2026 ballot.
  • Federal healthcare funding cuts outlined in the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' will reduce LA County's budget by $2.4 billion over the next three years.

The players

LA County Board of Supervisors

The governing body of Los Angeles County that voted 4-1 to place the healthcare sales tax measure on the June 2026 ballot.

Holly Mitchell

Second District Supervisor who sponsored the motion to put the sales tax increase on the ballot.

Hilda Solis

First District Supervisor who co-sponsored the motion to put the sales tax increase on the ballot.

Kathryn Barger

Fifth District Supervisor who was the sole 'no' vote on the measure.

Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association

An organization that has criticized the proposed sales tax increase, arguing the sales tax is already too high in LA County.

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What’s next

If approved by voters in June 2026, the measure would establish a nine-member citizens' oversight committee to ensure fiscal accountability through annual independent audits and recommendations on funding allocation.

The takeaway

This proposed sales tax hike underscores the difficult choices local governments face in maintaining essential public health services amid federal funding cuts. The measure aims to preserve access to county-run clinics, hospitals, and prevention programs, but faces criticism from anti-tax advocates who argue the sales tax burden is already too high.