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January 23
1882 - Author Helen Hunt Jackson visits Rancho Camulos; inspiration for "Ramona" novel [story]
HH Jackson


Los Angeles County Department of Public Health logoThe Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has launched the Los Angeles County Medical Debt Relief Program, an initiative designed by the Medical Debt Coalition, which is working together to address the growing crisis of medical debt that disproportionately affects vulnerable communities across the county.

The Medical Debt Relief Program will initially eliminate $500 million in debt by leveraging a $5 million investment from a motion introduced by Supervisors Hahn and Mitchell, approved by the LA County Board of Supervisors, to purchase medical debt for pennies on the dollar for low-income residents.

The Medical Debt Coalition, a multi-sector group, seeks to reach the goal of eliminating $2 billion in medical debt for Los Angeles County residents with continued contributions from philanthropic partners, hospitals and health plans. L.A. Care Health Plan is supporting this effort with a $2 million contribution for debt relief and critically, its prevention, by expanding the availability of tools to improve financial assistance programs. The Los Angeles County Medical Association has also contributed funds to relieve another $1 million of medical debt.

Initial participating hospitals include MLK Community Hospital and Adventist Health White Memorial Hospital, which will work with the national non-profit organization Undue Medical Debt to retire qualifying medical debt and close accounts. Qualifying medical debts are past due medical bills owed by Los Angeles County residents who earn up to 400% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Residents with past due medical bills do not need to apply and will receive a letter from Los Angeles County and Undue Medical Debt notifying them that their debt has been fully canceled.

“There are thousands of people in our communities who could work for the rest of their lives and never get out from under the debt they incurred from seeking the care they needed. It’s absolutely crushing them. This opportunity to relieve that burden is County government at its best,” said Supervisor Janice Hahn. “I’m thankful to our partners on this program. Together we’re going to help transform lives for some our most vulnerable residents.”

“The launch of this program is a critical step forward in ensuring that those receiving critical medical services do not find themselves experiencing financial harm associated with not being able to afford care,” said Dr. Barbara Ferrer, Ph.D., M.P.H., M.Ed., Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. “We are deeply grateful to our many partners who share our commitment to tackling the devastating damage of medical debt. Together, we are working to ensure that every resident has a fair and just opportunity to achieve and maintain good health.”

Medical Debt Coalition partners include multiple sectors from healthcare providers, community-based organizations, and legal aid groups. The Coalition’s mission is to alleviate the burden of medical debt, prevent its occurrence, and promote health equity. Medical debt impacts approximately 785,000 residents—one in ten adults in LA County—creating barriers to essential health care, exacerbating inequities, and forcing many families to make impossible choices between medical care and basic necessities like food and housing.

In 2022, medical debt in Los Angeles County exceeded $2.9 billion, an increase of $300 million from the previous year. This burden is similar in prevalence to chronic diseases like type 2 diabetes and disproportionately impacts families with children, low-income households, and communities of color, including Latinx, Black, American Indian, and Pacific Islander residents.

Medical debt not only undermines financial stability but also exacerbates physical and mental health challenges by delaying or preventing necessary medical care. Even insured residents are vulnerable, as high out-of-pocket costs can accumulate rapidly.

Residents that receive a medical bill they can’t pay or did not expect can visit http://publichealth.lacounty.gov/hccp/medicalDebt/ for information and resources, including how to apply for free or discounted hospital services (charity care), legal advice & assistance, consumer counseling, and tips for dealing with billing and collections

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LOS ANGELES COUNTY HEADLINES
Thursday, Jan 23, 2025
The Los Angeles County Joint Coordination Information Center has released the following information as of 1 p.m. on the Hughes Fire. A total of 10,176 acres has been consumed.
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone reported in a press briefing held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22 that the Hughes Fire has consumed more than 9,400 acres.
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025
The Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $50,000 disaster relief grant from Petco Love, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of pets and their families.
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025
The 2025 Los Angeles Homeless Count, an annual event to count unhoused people in Los Angeles County has been rescheduled to Feb. 18-20.
Wednesday, Jan 22, 2025
 L.A. County has launched a one-stop portal to connect the public with trusted organizations that are providing crucial relief and support in our communities.

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Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The Los Angeles County Joint Coordination Information Center has released the following information as of 1 p.m. on the Hughes Fire. A total of 10,176 acres has been consumed.
Update: Hughes Fire Consumes More than 10,000 Acres, 14% Contained
Valencia High School and Saving Hearts Foundation will host a free cardiologist consultations 9 a.m.- 3p.m. Saturday, Feb. 1 at 27801 N Dickason Drive, Valencia, CA 91355.
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1882 - Author Helen Hunt Jackson visits Rancho Camulos; inspiration for "Ramona" novel [story]
HH Jackson
The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce Small Business Council will present Mastering Strategies on a Shoestring Budget on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 4-6 p.m.
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Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone reported in a press briefing held at 5 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 22 that the Hughes Fire has consumed more than 9,400 acres.
Hughes Fire Consumes More than 9,000 Acres, Red Flag Warning Extended
School districts in the Santa Clarita Valley have announced a list of schools that will be closed Thursday, Jan. 23 due to the Hughes Fire.
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The Los Angeles County Animal Care Foundation is proud to announce that it has been awarded a $50,000 disaster relief grant from Petco Love, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the lives of pets and their families.
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We would like to start by thanking all of our staff, especially our transportation department, and first responders for their support and swift action during the rapidly evolving situation related to the Hughes Fire.
Castaic Union School District Issues Message of District Closure for Jan. 23
The South Coast Air Quality Management District has issued a wildfire smoke advisory for Santa Clarita and the surrounding areas. 
South Coast AQMD Issues Wildfire Smoke Advisory
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce for the February Business After Hours Mixer on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at FastSigns, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Feb. 19: SCV Chamber Mixer at FastSigns
DACC is actively responding to the ongoing “Hughes Fire,” which has burned more than 5,000 acres in the region.
County Animal Care and Control Mobilizes For Evacuations Due to the Hughes Fire
The 2025 Los Angeles Homeless Count, an annual event to count unhoused people in Los Angeles County has been rescheduled to Feb. 18-20.
Feb. 18-20: 2025 L.A. Homeless Count Rescheduled, Volunteers Sought
In an abundance of caution, the Saugus Union School District has asked families of students at Tesoro del Valle Elementary and West Creek Academy to pick up their students from school immediately.
SUSD Ask Parents to Pick Up Students From Copper Hill Area Schools
 L.A. County has launched a one-stop portal to connect the public with trusted organizations that are providing crucial relief and support in our communities.
County Launches One-Stop Funding, Relief Portal
California State University, Northridge professor Jeremy Yoder has been honored by his peers in three national scholarly societies on evolutionary biology for his work advancing equity and justice in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields. 
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An emergency Evacuation order has been issued for areas around Castaic Lake due to the break of of the Hughes fire. 
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1839 - Gov. Juan B. Alvarado gives most of SCV to Mexican Army Lt. Antonio del Valle. [story]
Diseno map
The leaders of federal and local law enforcement agencies have joined together to create the Joint Regional Fire Crimes Task Force to investigate and prosecute fire-related crimes as Los Angeles County recovers from devastating wildfires.
Officials Form Task Force to Combat Crimes Related to Los Angeles-Area Wildfires
Spectrum has announced a donation of $2,500 to Finally Family Homes through the company’s employee-driven grants program that recognizes the value of community service, Spectrum Employee Community Grants.
Spectrum Presents $2,500 Grant to Finally Family Homes
The city of Santa Clarita hosted the annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Unity Walk on Monday, Jan. 20 at 8 a.m. in Central Park in Saugus. The event attracted a crowd of several hundred from throughout the Santa Clarita Valley to listen to speeches and entertainment before walking through Central Park.
Santa Clarita Hosts MLK Day Unity Walk
Metro has a plan to make it easier to get around by expanding the Metro rail system to the Westside with the D (Purple) Line Subway Extension Project. This critical, highly anticipated new addition to Metro’s network will add seven new stations and a reliable, high-speed connection between downtown Los Angeles and the Westside.
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College of the Canyons has successfully completed the first year of its five-year Veterans Upward Bound grant program. This transformative initiative aims to provide comprehensive support services to eligible student veterans in the Santa Clarita Valley, Antelope Valley and parts of the San Fernando Valley.
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The Master's University men's and women's swim teams met in the pool against Fresno Pacific University at Sunnyside Aquatic Center in Fresno Saturday afternoon, Jan. 18.
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