Los Angeles County Health Department Gets $961,424 World Cup Reimbursement, Leaving More Than 75% of Costs Uncovered
Updated
Updated · POLITICO · Jun 6
Los Angeles County Health Department Gets $961,424 World Cup Reimbursement, Leaving More Than 75% of Costs Uncovered
1 articles · Updated · POLITICO · Jun 6
Summary
$961,424 in federal reimbursement will cover less than one-quarter of Los Angeles County's expected World Cup public health spending, leaving the department with a budget gap and no plan yet to close it.
240 employees have been assigned to World Cup preparation and game-day work, with much of the cost tied to overtime as the county expands inspections and other public health operations.
Nearly half of the county workers on the effort will focus on food safety around SoFi Stadium and fan zones, while public messaging also urges visitors to use fentanyl test strips, carry overdose-reversal medication and avoid drunk driving.
The shortfall lands after the department recently closed six health clinics because of federal budget cuts, underscoring how routine event-health duties are straining already tight local resources.
Across host cities, health agencies are drilling for outbreaks and crowd risks, but FEMA's $625 million World Cup fund has been fiercely contested — Massachusetts' public health department received just $310,800 of the state's $46 million award.