Greetings,

We hope you are well and taking care of yourself mentally and physically. As if we weren’t already on the edge of our seat with mayhem caused by the Trump administration’s program cuts including cuts in the reconciliation bill, now the government shutdown brings more upheaval.

We’re looking out for each other with free community health fairs and information about how to challenge hospital bills. CalCare inspires us to be hopeful, expand our networks and support positive change. Imagine life without needing to think about the cost of health care like our neighbors in Canada! 

CalCare will be re-introduced in the California Legislature in early 2026 and now is the time to spread the word to our fellow Californians. In Los Angeles County, Health Care for US is educating the public and expanding support for CalCare with CalCare parties. Based on your available time, you can participate to varying degrees by hosting, funding or supporting a casual party for CalCare.

Sign up to volunteer with The California Nurses Association and CalCare campaign HERE. They have a new outreach and presentation program including one-one support to volunteers.

Tod Maffin makes the case for living in a country that protects the health and safety of its residents. Canadians believe health care is a human right and are fine with paying 2% more in income taxes than Americans for single-payer financing.

At midnight on October 1st, federal funding for some services stopped since Congress failed to pass an interim budget with Democrats using extension of the Affordable Care Act/Covered CA subsidies as a bargaining chip. Health and Human Services is expected to furlough about 40% of its workforce, which has already been decreased by about 20,000 positions under the Trump administration. Reporters in this MedPage Today article list services including heightened risk of community health center closures, decreased support from the CDC to local and state health departments and a reduction in food safety efforts.

Medicaid and Medicare will continue, as will operations at the Indian Health Service, however important support services will be limited including limited federal staff to provide help to Medicaid and Medicare enrollees. 

The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care reports the impact of a shutdown will be significant on nursing home surveys and certification which already are backlogged, putting nursing home residents at increased risk of harm.

Immigrants are especially negatively impacted by federal and state legislation.

A Substack article, A 9-Point Checklist for Challenging Hospital Overcharges by Walter Kerr provides clear instructions and timelines for consumers.

Cover My Mental Health is a not-for-profit supporting self-advocacy for insurance coverage.

This Saturday, October 4th there’s a community health and well-being fair at USC Verdugo Hills Hospital in Glendale.

On Saturday October 18th, The Nurses Pub is hosting a free community health fair in Altadena. Part of their mission is to “serve the community through innovative events and outreach programs”. The health fair includes screening mammograms for community members who have or do not have insurance.