Blogs of the LA Area Chamber
Connecting Leaders to Drive Change Throughout California
Gary Toebben on August 18, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Drought, job creation, education, immigration reform and climate change – California has no shortage of critical issues and challenges. But it also has is an abundance of opportunity.
California's Aging Population Could Strain Health Care System
California Healthline on August 12, 2015 at 10:00:00 am
Posted in Health Care Waiting Room
California's health care system could struggle to meet the demand of the state's growing aging population, according to two new reports, the Sacramento Bee's "Capitol Alert" reports.
Details of CHCF Report
According to a report by the California HealthCare Foundation (CHCF), California's population of residents ages 65 or older is projected to more than double by 2040. As a result, that population's demand for health care services will increase, but the effects will be disproportionate depending on service type and location.
It's A New Day for MLK Community Hospital
Gary Toebben on August 11, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Many individuals and organizations were applauded last Friday during the official dedication of the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Hospital (MLKCH) in Willowbrook-Watts. And for good reason. It took a symphony of people and organizations, coming together in harmony, to raise this new community, privately-run, safety net hospital from the ashes.
A Gold Medal for Los Angeles
Gary Toebben on August 4, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
During my nine years in Southern California, I have never been prouder of the City and County of Los Angeles. From the Opening Ceremony on July 25 to the Closing Ceremony this past Sunday, the 2015 Special Olympics World Games celebrated the importance of inclusion, courage, personal effort, civic generosity and volunteer spirit. To capture a glimpse of this nine day celebration, take a moment to view this video shown at the Closing Ceremony.
Report Highlights Importance of California's Social Safety Net for Children's Health
Michelle Rosenfeld, California Healthline Editor on July 29, 2015 at 10:00:00 am
Posted in Health Care Waiting Room
About 2.3 million California children live in poverty -- but that number would go up by 1.28 million if the state's social safety net programs were not available, according to a report from the Public Policy Institute of California.
Although government assistance is available for so many, wide variations in enrollment from county to county have led to disparities, according to the PPIC report released earlier this year.
California Economy Needs A Strong Education Bill From Congress
Gary Toebben on July 28, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
For California to maintain its position as the 8th largest economy in the world, our education system needs to prepare ALL students for a competitive workplace. California is making progress by implementing substantial changes to our educational standards, better testing and accountability systems, and granting local control over funding. California high school graduation rates have improved from 75 percent in 2010 to an all-time high of 81 percent in 2014. We are on the right track.
Unemployment Rates For Los Angeles Tell A Disappointing Story
Gary Toebben on July 22, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
Last Friday, the California Employment Development Department released the Employment Report for June. The California unemployment rate stands at 6.3 percent, the County of Los Angeles is 7.4 percent and the City of Los Angeles is 7.7 percent. The U.S. unemployment rate is 5.3 percent. While all of these numbers are better than a year ago, the growth in jobs in L.A. City and County is lagging far behind other metropolitan counties in California. Here are the comparisons: San Francisco – 3.5 percent; Alameda (Oakland) - 4.6 percent; San Diego – 5.0 percent; Orange – 4.3 percent; Santa Clara (San Jose) – 4.0 percent. All of these metro counties have a lower unemployment rate than the United States except L.A. County.
Governor's Special Session on Health Care Financing
Samantha Beasley, Director, Public Policy on July 17, 2015 at 12:00:00 am
Posted in Health Care Waiting Room
Facing billions in funding challenges for our state’s health care infrastructure in 2016, Governor Jerry Brown recently began a special legislative session on health care financing. In this, hearings are being held in the Senate and Assembly to discuss the needs of our continuously expanding Medi-Cal population, services for people with developmental disabilities, and - most prominently - expiration of the current Managed Care Organization (MCO) tax structure.
Governor's Special Session on Health Care Financing
Samantha Beasley, Director of Public Policy, L.A. Area Chamber of Commerce on July 15, 2015 at 2:00:00 pm
Posted in Health Care Waiting Room
Facing billions in funding challenges for our state’s health care infrastructure in 2016, Governor Jerry Brown recently began a special legislative session on health care financing. In this, hearings are being held in the Senate and Assembly to discuss the needs of our continuously expanding Medi-Cal population, services for people with developmental disabilities, and - most prominently - expiration of the current Managed Care Organization (MCO) tax structure.
State & Feds Must Address Transportation Funding Crisis
Gary Toebben on July 14, 2015 at 9:00:00 am
Posted in The Business Perspective
The Federal Highway Trust Fund will expire on July 31 and California’s highways are falling apart. The businesses and residents of California are angry and frustrated by the lack of focus on transportation at both the State and Federal level. Tax revenue is growing in Washington DC and Sacramento but none of that new revenue is going to transportation.