Latest news with #Ferrer
Los Angeles Times
2 days ago
- Health
- Los Angeles Times
Federal cuts leave Los Angeles County health system in crisis
Los Angeles County's health system, which is responsible for the care of the region's poorest, is careening toward a financial crisis because of cuts from a presidential administration and Republican-led Congress looking to drastically slash the size of government. President Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill,' which passed earlier this month, is expected to soon claw $750 million per year from the county Department of Health Services, which oversees four public hospitals and roughly two dozen clinics. In an all-staff email Friday, the agency called the bill a 'big, devastating blow to our health system' and said a hiring freeze had gone into effect, immediately. And the Trump administration's budget for the next fiscal year will likely result in a $200-million cut to the county Department of Public Health, whose responsibilities include monitoring disease outbreaks, inspecting food and providing substance use treatment. 'I'm not going to sugarcoat it. I'm not going to say we survive this,' said Barbara Ferrer, head of the public health department, in an interview. 'We can't survive this big a cut.' Both Ferrer and Department of Health Services head Christina Ghaly warned that the federal cuts will devastate their agencies — and the patients they serve — for years to come. Employee layoffs are likely. In April, the White House announced it was ending infectious disease grants worth billions of dollars, including $45 million that L.A. County was supposed to use to combat the spread of measles and bird flu. California has joined other states in a lawsuit fighting the cuts, and the court has issued a preliminary injunction suspending the cuts. This month, the county public health department lost another $16 million after Trump's bill cut funding for a program educating food stamp recipients about how to buy healthy meals. And there's more to come. The Trump administration's proposed budget for 2026 will be the biggest blow yet, Ferrer warned, yanking $200 million from her department — a 12% cut. 'I'm old. I've been around for a long time,' said Ferrer, whose work in public health dates back to the Reagan administration. 'I've never actually seen this much disdain for public health.' Ferrer said the cuts mean she no longer has enough money for the county's bioterrorism watch program, which monitors for outbreaks that might signal a biological attack. Soon, she said, county officials may have to stop testing ocean water for toxins year round, cutting back to just half the year. 'Like, you want to swim? You want to know that the water is safe where you swim, then oppose these kinds of cuts,' she said. 'That affects everybody who goes to the beach.' Layoffs are likely, said Ferrer. About 1,500 public health staffers are supported through federal grants. More than half the federal money the department receives is funneled to outside organizations, which would likely need to make cuts to stay afloat. A similarly grim cost analysis is underway at the county Department of Health Services, where executives said they expect to lose $280 million this fiscal year because of the bill. 'I can't make a promise that we will be able to avoid layoffs because of the magnitude of the challenges,' said Ghaly. Ghaly said the bill slashed the extra Medicaid money the county typically gets to cover care for low-income patients. They expect many patients might be kicked off Medicaid because of new eligibility and work requirements. The federal government is pulling back on payments for emergency services for undocumented people, meaning the county will have to foot more of the bill. The White House did not respond to a request for comment. Department of Health Services officials said they expect to lose $750 million per year by 2028. By then, the agency's budget deficit is projected to have ballooned to $1.85 billion. In an attempt to pump more cash into the system, L.A. County supervisors voted on Tuesday to increase a parcel tax first approved by voters in 2002, which is expected to raise an additional $87 million for the county's trauma care network. After a long debate Tuesday, Supervisors Holly Mitchell and Lindsey Horvath worked to direct $9 million of the parcel tax money to Martin Luther King Jr. Community Hospital, a private hospital that serves as a critical safety net for South Los Angeles residents who would otherwise find themselves in a medical desert. Without that cash infusion from the county, the cuts in Trump's bill would have put the hospital at risk of closing, since the majority of patients in its emergency room are on Medicaid, said Elaine Batchlor, Martin Luther King's chief executive officer. 'If they've lost their Medicaid coverage, we simply won't get paid for those patients,' she said. Martin Luther King replaced a county hospital that closed after losing national accreditation in 2005 because of serious medical malpractice, landing it the nickname 'Killer King.' 'The fact that that hospital closed in the first place I think is criminal, and I intend to do all I can to protect the integrity of the services,' said Mitchell, whose district includes the hospital and who pushed for it to get a cut of money from the parcel tax increase. Local health providers said that changes at the state level have created additional uncertainty. The state budget for this fiscal year freezes enrollment in Medi-Cal, California's version of Medicaid, for undocumented immigrants ages 19 and older starting in January. Medi-Cal recipients ages 19 to 59 will have to pay a $30 monthly premium beginning July 1, 2027. 'Most families [we serve] are making about $2,400 to $2,600 a month. They're going to have to choose between paying their Medi-Cal fees for a family of four — that's $120 a month — or paying rent or paying for food,' said Jim Mangia, head of St. John's Community Health, who said the cuts will disrupt care for tens of thousands of low-income residents. The St. John's clinic, which gets most of its revenue from Medi-Cal reimbursements, serves more than 120,000 patients a year, most of whom live below the federal poverty line. If the clinic doesn't find a way to replace the lost revenue, Mangia warned, services will have to be reduced. The clinic recently started treating immigrant patients in their homes after realizing they had been skipping appointments because they feared being arrested by federal immigration agents. 'Then what we're looking at is closing several health centers,' said Mangia. 'We're looking at laying off hundreds of staff.' At Venice Family Clinic, a community health center that serves nearly 45,000 patients annually, 80% of patients rely on Medi-Cal. Roughly half the clinic's revenue comes from Medi-Cal reimbursements. Dr. Mitesh Popat, a family physician and head of the clinic, said that federal policy changes — especially more frequent paperwork and added work requirements — will likely push eligible patients off of Medi-Cal. He said the clinic is exploring ways to expand support for patients to navigate the paperwork and keep their coverage. 'This puts a bunch of barriers in the way of people who already have enough challenges in life,' Popat said. 'They're trying to make it, trying to survive, trying to put food on the table.'
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Tourists eating out in Spain warned common habit is now 'banned'
Some restaurants in Spanish holiday hotspots like Majorca, Malaga and Zaragoza are reportedly taking on the rule Brits jetting off to Majorca for their summer holidays need to be aware of a new rule being rolled out in some restaurants across the Spanish island, according to reports. If tourists are planning to treat themselves to a dinner as a group, a typical request is now being 'banned'. The Majorca Daily Bulletin reported that holidaymakers considering splitting the bill at restaurants will be in for a shock in certain spots. Juanmi Ferrer, president of the CAEB Restaurants Association in Mallorca, was quoted as explaining that some dining establishments are starting to stop customers from settling the bill separately. Ferrer said: "There is one bill per table, and it is up to the customers to deal with the payment. Some don't want to pay for the wine, others specifically ask to pay for their dish. This gets complicated for the staff, and there can be items that no one is charged for. It is time-consuming and even more so if the bill doesn't add up." In an era where tapping your bank card is quicker and more convenient than counting cash, dividing up a dinner tab usually leads to extra hassle for the staff, as opposed to guests doing the maths with cash in hand. Ferrer noted in the report that "only 30-40%" of diners opt to pay with bank notes and coins in 2025. Ferrer highlights that the hassle of settling bills just piles onto the already tough workloads of restaurant workers. This is made even worse by a staffing shortage, an effect from the pandemic, it is claimed, that continues to plague the hospitality sector, reports Wales Online. The "one table, one bill" rule is gaining traction in Spain. Holiday hotspots like Zaragoza, Málaga, and parts of Barcelona are adopting the policy, as reported by Euro Weekly. Restaurants are implementing this approach in two main ways. Either, outright banning the splitting of bills, or permitting it but imposing a surcharge for each card transaction, usually between €1 and €2. A Zaragoza restaurateur reportedly started this practice after finding it too time-consuming to process multiple payment requests simultaneously. This became particularly problematic during peak seasons like summer, when tourist numbers swell. Is this allowed and what can I do when eating out? Spanish legislation doesn't specifically mention that businesses have to accommodate split payments, so restaurateurs are at liberty to set their payment policies. So, in essence, yes. Spanish restaurants can legally decline to split bills, provided they communicate their policy upfront through menu notices, visible signage and verbal explanation. Plan how you'll settle the bill before sitting down to dine to avoid any hassle. Discuss with your group whether to pool cash together or nominate one person to foot the bill and sort out transferring via bank transfer later. If possible, ask for separate bills when you order. This helps the restaurant in managing payments more efficiently from the outset. Splitting bills can put additional strain on busy staff, so your patience and understanding will be appreciated. Is Majorca the same as Mallorca? Majorca and Mallorca are two names for the same island. "Majorca" is how you spell it in English, whereas "Mallorca" is the spelling in Spanish and Catalan, which is the official name. Both names are used interchangeably, but Mallorca is the more widely accepted and technically accurate term.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
UK tourists warned as Majorca restaurants enforce new 'one table, one bill' rule
British tourists heading to Majorca this summer have been warned to watch out for a new restaurant rule that has banned customers from splitting the bill. The Balearic Island in Spain is struggling with staffing issues, with restaurants in particular short staffed leading to delays and slower service. In a bid to speed up the turnaround at the in-demand eateries, there have been reports of more locations refusing to let customers split the bill, as it creates extra work for waiters. Read more: Anyone with a bank account urged to come forward for free £715 payment Juanmi Ferrer, president of the CAEB Restaurants Association, said: "There is one bill per table and it is up to the customers how they deal with the payment. Some don't want to pay for the wine, others specifically ask to pay for their own dish. "This gets complicated for the staff, and there can be items that no one is charged for. It is time consuming and even more so if the bill doesn't add up. "We understand that customers want to divide the bill, but there are much easier and more convenient methods." This has become known as the "one table, one bill" rule, with reports of other regions of Spain implementing it, such as Zaragoza, Málaga, and parts of Barcelona. There are two forms this rule is being enforced: One is by completely banning bill splitting and refusing to let customers do this. The other is adding a charge for every time a card is used, typically to the tune of between €1 and €2. This issue has been driven by understaffing in these regions of Spain, despite decent wages being offered to employees, Ferrer argues. He said: "We have the best hospitality agreement in Spain; the minimum net wage is €1,700 per month. Money is not an issue." The reason for the shortages could be seasonal, as many locations only need the staff for small portions of the year. This leaves restaurants understaffed when the peak summer season arrives.
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Majorca restaurants BAN splitting the bill blaming tourists who want to pay their share for waiter shortages
Diners will have to sort their bill out for themselves as waiters are too busy juggling orders, receipts and card readers PAELLA PAY UP Majorca restaurants BAN splitting the bill blaming tourists who want to pay their share for waiter shortages Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) RESTAURANTS across Majorca are cracking down on the once-harmless holiday habit of splitting the bill, blaming picky tourists and chronic waiter shortages for chaos at the tills. Eateries at the popular Spanish hotspot are uniting behind a simple demand: one bill per table - no exceptions. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 7 Majorca restaurants are banning tourists from splitting the bill Credit: Getty 7 Owners are uniting behind a single bill per table, insisting it avoids unpaid items and speeds service Credit: Getty The move, they say, is aimed at avoiding unpaid items, streamlining service, and easing the pressure on overworked staff. Juanmi Ferrer, president of the Mallorca CAEB Restaurants Association, told Ultima Hora: 'Some don't want to pay for the wine, others specifically ask to pay for their own dish. 'This gets complicated for the staff, and there can be items that no one is charged for.' As tourists insist on settling only their share - whether that's half a sangria or a spoonful of paella - waiters are left juggling orders, receipts and card readers, often delaying service and creating discrepancies in the daily close-out. 'It is time-consuming and even more so if the bill doesn't add up,' Ferrer warned. Now, some restaurants are outright refusing to allow separate payments, insisting that diners sort it out among themselves. The only concession? Split the bill equally - if you must - but do it fast. Ferrer recommended tools like free mobile payment apps to simplify things. He told Majorca Daily Bulletin: 'We understand that the bill should be split among everyone, but there are much easier and more convenient methods, such as Bizum, which is free for customers and is automatic.' Moment hardcore anti tourist mob surround Brit tourists in Majorca chanting 'go home' & telling Brit ex-pats to 'go to hell' And while tourists may find the policy change frustrating, restaurant owners say they're simply running out of staff to cope. 'Since the pandemic, restaurateurs have had a hard time finding workers,' Ferrer added. Many businesses are forced to offer only one lunch shift, as they don't have enough staff to open midday and evening.' He insists the issue isn't about money. In fact, Majorca offers "the best hospitality agreement in Spain", with a minimum net salary of €1,700 (£1,475) a month. The real problem is getting enough hands on deck during the short but intense tourist season – especially in beach resorts. 7 Some restaurants are outright refusing to allow separate payments, insisting that diners sort it out among themselves Credit: Getty 7 The move aims to avoid unpaid items, streamline service, and ease pressure on staff Credit: Getty Tourism tensions The clampdown on splitting the bill comes as anti-tourism protests flare up across the Balearics and mainland Spain. Tourists – especially Brits – are finding themselves increasingly unwelcome, with some now being lured to 'fake beaches' as part of a growing guerrilla campaign. In one viral video, a local revealed how some residents are making up names for non-existent coves in dangerous areas to mislead visitors and keep them off popular stretches of sand. 'These are not beaches, they are dangerous places that you should avoid,' she warned. Meanwhile, beaches have been barricaded with boulders, fake 'Beach Closed' signs have popped up across Majorca, and one protester was even spotted wielding an axe. The protest group Caterva claimed responsibility for recent 'symbolic closures' of secluded coves like Cala Varques and Cala Petita, insisting they're 'for residents' use and rest' only. 7 Residents across Europe have protested with signs bearing slogans like 'As you come I have to go' Credit: Reuters 7 Widespread anti-tourism protests have erupted across Spain in the last year Credit: Reuters
The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Majorca restaurants BAN splitting the bill blaming tourists who want to pay their share for waiter shortages
RESTAURANTS across Majorca are cracking down on the once-harmless holiday habit of splitting the bill, blaming picky tourists and chronic waiter shortages for chaos at the tills. Eateries at the Advertisement 7 Majorca restaurants are banning tourists from splitting the bill Credit: Getty 7 Owners are uniting behind a single bill per table, insisting it avoids unpaid items and speeds service Credit: Getty The move, they say, is aimed at avoiding unpaid items, streamlining service, and easing the pressure on overworked staff. Juanmi Ferrer, president of the Mallorca CAEB Restaurants Association, told 'This gets complicated for the staff, and there can be items that no one is charged for.' As tourists insist on settling only their share - whether that's half a sangria or a spoonful of paella - waiters are left juggling orders, receipts and card readers, often delaying service and creating discrepancies in the daily close-out. Advertisement Read more on antitourism 'It is time-consuming and even more so if the bill doesn't add up,' Ferrer warned. Now, some restaurants are outright refusing to allow separate payments, insisting that diners sort it out among themselves. The only concession? Split the bill equally - if you must - but do it fast. Ferrer recommended tools like free mobile payment apps to simplify things. Advertisement Most read in The Sun He told Moment hardcore anti tourist mob surround Brit tourists in Majorca chanting 'go home' & telling Brit ex-pats to 'go to hell' And while tourists may find the policy change frustrating, restaurant owners say they're simply running out of staff to cope. 'Since the pandemic, restaurateurs have had a hard time finding workers,' Ferrer added. Many businesses are forced to offer only one lunch shift, as they don't have enough staff to open midday and evening.' Advertisement He insists the issue isn't about money. In fact, Majorca offers "the best hospitality agreement in Spain", with a minimum net salary of €1,700 (£1,475) a month. The real problem is getting enough hands on deck during the short but intense tourist season – especially in beach resorts. 7 Some restaurants are outright refusing to allow separate payments, insisting that diners sort it out among themselves Credit: Getty 7 The move aims to avoid unpaid items, streamline service, and ease pressure on staff Credit: Getty Advertisement Tourism tensions The clampdown on splitting the bill comes as Tourists – especially Brits – are finding themselves increasingly unwelcome, with some In one viral video, a local revealed how some residents are making up names for non-existent coves in dangerous areas to mislead visitors and keep them off popular stretches of sand. 'These are not beaches, they are dangerous places that you should avoid,' she warned. Advertisement Meanwhile, The protest group Caterva claimed responsibility for recent 'symbolic closures' of secluded coves like Cala Varques and Cala Petita, insisting they're 'for residents' use and rest' only. 7 Residents across Europe have protested with signs bearing slogans like 'As you come I have to go' Credit: Reuters 7 Widespread anti-tourism protests have erupted across Spain in the last year Credit: Reuters Advertisement 7
