According to USA TODAY, For over a year, LA County’s Department of Public Health has been developing a comprehensive strategy to track patient debt and hospital collections, boost medical bill forgiveness for low-income patients, and directly purchase and eliminate billions in outstanding medical debt.

A Public Health Crisis, Not Just a Financial One

What sets LA County’s approach apart is its framing of medical debt as a urgent public health threat on par with conditions like asthma and diabetes, rather than merely an economic or political problem.

“Nobody in LA County facing economic limitations should have that impact their ability to access essential healthcare services and support for optimal well-being,” said Barbara Ferrer, director of the public health department, at a recent medical debt symposium.

Mona Shah of the national health equity organization Community Catalyst praised the county’s “bold” efforts to address both immediate debt relief and the root causes of medical debt. She highlighted the significance of tackling this issue in a region with around 10 million residents.

Pushback from Hospital Industry

However, on the eve of the April 10th symposium, the powerful Hospital Association of Southern California urged LA County to revise its plan. In a letter, the association’s CEO George Greene argued the proposed debt relief program would “only burden hospitals with unnecessary requirements, without ultimately helping to address the underlying issue.”

Many of the county’s recommendations would require hospitals to change billing and reporting processes. For example, LA County wants hospitals to notify it when sending patient debt to collections and improve access to financial assistance programs, which patient advocates say are often difficult to navigate despite state requirements.

The association’s LA County VP Adena Tessler told KFF Health News that hospitals already provide ample financial aid, claiming the county places too much emphasis on hospitals when other healthcare sectors like insurers share blame for the medical debt crisis.

A Widespread and Inequitable Burden

But the scale of the problem in LA County is staggering. Analysis by the public health department found nearly 785,000 county residents were burdened with $2.9 billion in total medical debt in 2022 alone.

The data shows this debt disproportionately affects people of color, low-income families, and households with children. Having outstanding medical bills more than doubled the likelihood of delaying care, struggling to afford housing, or going hungry.

While a few states have begun limiting medical debt collection or mandating hospital financial assistance, LA County’s public health-centered approach is unprecedented. Some jurisdictions have provided direct debt relief, and new state and federal laws ban including medical debt on credit reports, which can cripple someone’s ability to find housing, jobs, and loans.

“Medical debt is a huge public health problem,” said Naman Shah, the LA public health department’s medical and dental affairs director. “We try to shift societal determinants that deeply and widely impact health. Medical debt fulfills both – it’s important we see this as a health issue, not just a regulatory one.”

A Phased, Collaborative Approach

With backing from the County Board of Supervisors, which labeled medical debt a “pervasive” cause of harm to marginalized communities, the public health department developed a phased plan after releasing initial recommendations last year.

Over the next several months, LA County will score hospitals on the accessibility of their financial assistance and provide templates to simplify byzantine billing practices, similar to efforts in Washington, Oregon and Maryland.

The county also aims to prevent future medical debt through consumer education on avoiding surprise billing and out-of-network charges in collaboration with health plans and providers.

While agreeing hospitals should not be the sole focus, Naman Shah defended starting with a major debt source, noting nearly 75% of adults owe some medical debt to hospitals.

“We want to get the most bang for our buck,” Shah said. “The largest bill a patient receives is not a dental or office bill – it’s a hospital bill.”

Despite the hospital lobby’s resistance, Shah said the county is moving forward with its plan after addressing some “misunderstandings” through ongoing dialogue with the association.

A National Model for Justice

By asserting that medical debt is first and foremost a critical public health equity issue, Los Angeles County is charting new territory in the nationwide struggle against a burden impacting two out of every five U.S. adults.

Through strategic debt relief, systematic reforms to make hospital billing more consumer-friendly, and preventative efforts across the healthcare system, LA’s sweeping initiative could become a model for other states and localities aiming to proactively tackle an injustice that perpetuates poverty and barriers to care.

As Barbara Ferrer powerfully stated, optimal health and wellbeing should be possible for all LA County residents regardless of economic status. By confronting the medical debt crisis as a public health imperative, this diversity-rich region is taking major strides toward that ideal. I sincerely hope you find this “Los Angeles County Really Erase Medical Debt? Here’s What’s Happening” article helpful.

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In Los Angeles alone, six Starbucks stores are being shuttered:

• Hollywood Blvd and Vine St
• Santa Monica Blvd and Westmount Dr in West Hollywood
• 1st and Los Angeles St (inside DoubleTree hotel)
• Hollywood Blvd and Western Ave
• Ocean Front Walk and Moss Ave in Santa Monica
• 2nd and San Pedro St

The company referenced drug use, threatening behavior, and an overall unsafe environment as reasons for closing these LA area stores. But the closures have sparked controversy, with some customers and employees questioning the true motives.

A Tale of Two Perspectives

For regulars like Anna Gonzalez, who frequents the downtown LA store across from LAPD headquarters, the closure is disappointing but not entirely surprising given the growing homeless population and petty crime in the area. “It’s only going to get worse without the business,” she lamented.

Others like Liz Venz, a customer at the Hollywood and Vine location, expressed frustration at the city’s inability to address safety issues. “You can’t walk to work, you can’t live comfortably and nothing’s being done about it…It’s not a good neighborhood anymore.”

However, some are skeptical of Starbucks’ stated reasons. Chris Muncey, who visited the doomed 1st and Los Angeles store, called safety a “palatable excuse” if there were financial motives behind the closures.

An anonymous employee who worked at the two closing downtown spots revealed she had been threatened, cursed at, and even had hot water thrown at her – yet Starbucks failed to provide adequate security despite her filing incident reports.

The Unionization Angle

Adding more fuel to the controversy are claims by the union Starbucks Workers United that several of the stores slated for closure had either voted to unionize or petitioned for a union vote, fueling suspicions that the closures are really an anti-union tactic.

Starbucks has vehemently denied these allegations, stating the move is simply “part of our business operations.” However, the company has been plagued by charges of illegally firing union organizers amid a wave of recent unionization efforts.

The Homelessness and Crime Link

It’s no secret that Los Angeles, like many major cities, is grappling with an escalating homelessness crisis intricately linked to property crimes and safety issues – factors frequently cited by Starbucks as motivations for the store closures.

In West Hollywood, Mayor Pro Tem Sepi Shyne acknowledged an “uptick of reports of aggressive behavior” near the Santa Monica Blvd store, with workers complaining about response times from law enforcement.

Crime data from the Hollywood and Vine location shows 101 calls for service since January, including 14 assaults. Private security guards admit having to frequently remove individuals from that Starbucks location.

The downtown stores near LAPD headquarters have seen 77 calls since the start of 2023, mostly for theft but also 12 assaults.

A City-Wide or National Issue?

While Los Angeles is taking the brunt with six store closures, the same scenes have played out in Seattle, Philadelphia, Washington D.C and other cities where Starbucks is shuttering locations.

Some have blamed “woke” policies and progressive criminal justice reforms by Democratic leaders in these cities. On Fox News, former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany claimed, “Until you fix the problem up here with elected officials…you’re not going to fix the problems in the streets, and the businesses are leaving.”

A Wider Economic Impact

Beyond Starbucks, the store closures could have a rippling economic effect on surrounding businesses that rely on the foot traffic the coffee giant provides.

In West Hollywood’s “Bo-Ho” neighborhood, the Starbucks closure is being called a “shock to the community” that could impact other area businesses and shake up the lively dynamic of the region.

The Debate Rages On

As the Starbucks closures move forward, the debate continues to rage about whether the coffee behemoth is being fully transparent about its motives and reasonings.

Some Los Angeles regulars have accepted the closures with resignation, noting the unfortunate reality of crisis-level homelessness and crime. As Starbucks employee Anthony Flores stated about the downtown store nearest City Hall, “It’s downtown, so it kind of comes with the territory.”

Others remain firmly skeptical that safety and crime are the sole factors, suspecting financial motivations or an anti-union agenda lurking beneath the surface of Starbucks’ public statements.

One thing is certain – the loss of the community hubs and meeting places that Starbucks stores have become will leave a noticeable void in many Los Angeles neighborhoods. Whether the closures truly stem from unsafe conditions or are rooted in other controversies, only time will tell how the city’s landscape is reshaped in their absence. I sincerely hope you find this “Why Starbucks Claims Certain LA Stores are Too Unsafe to Operate? Discover The Reason” article helpful.

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Happy Liquor: A Hub of Crime and Controversy

This latest violent incident is part of a tragic pattern of crime centered around Happy Liquor that has plagued the community for years. According to neighbors, the store had become a magnet for illegal activity, loitering, public drinking and harassment. “Happy’s has been a problem business for a number of years,” said local resident Worlee Glover. “I don’t want to see it reopen. I think it’s time for it to close and we look at new retail for that corner. That entire intersection needs to be reimagined with new businesses.”

Community Reels After Deadly Shooting Near Happy Liquor

The day before the closure, three men were standing on the sidewalk near the store when four assailants approached and opened fire in broad daylight. A 36-year-old man was pronounced dead after being shot multiple times. Two other men, ages 25 and 26, sustained gunshot wounds to their extremities but survived. Tragically, no suspects are in custody at this time and police are still investigating the horrific attack.

In response to this latest violent crime centered around its premises, Chicago PD executed its power to summarily close businesses deemed threats to public safety. Happy Liquor & Food now sits shuttered by order of the city, pending a hearing later this month to appeal the closure. However, Glover’s sentiments indicate neighbors may not welcome the business back after years of problematic activities associated with the store.

Reflecting on the Impact

As the Greater Grand Crossing community processes this trauma and loss, Happy Liquor’s closure raises larger questions around liquor stores, public safety and revitalizing struggling neighborhoods. The cluster of stores selling alcohol in low-income Chicago communities has been linked to increased violence and health problems for decades. Yet they persist due to lack of other retail options and affordable goods for residents living in food deserts.

Happy Liquor: A Tale of Complex Interplay

The story of Happy Liquor shows the complex interplay between business, crime and community vitality. For many, this tragedy and closure was a long time coming after witnessing the loitering, harassment and danger centered around the store. But the original owners likely intended simply to provide affordable goods and services to the neighborhood when they opened it years ago.

There are no easy solutions or singular blame here. But this heartbreaking closure should spark serious conversations, policy changes and community-driven ideas for creating safety and opportunity in Greater Grand Crossing beyond the fate of one liquor store. Perhaps this loss can help inspire innovative concepts for community-oriented businesses, youth programs to deter violence or even rezoning proposals to attract new investment to the area. I sincerely hope you find this “What caused the shutdown of Happy Liquor & Food in Greater Grand Crossing, Chicago?” article helpful.

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