Alex Li, MD, the Chief Health Equity Officer at L.A. Care Health Plan, was a featured speaker at a recent Los Angeles County Medical Debt Summit. The summit brought together coalition members, key stakeholders, and experts to address the burden of medical debt. It is estimated that Angelenos owe more than $2 billion in medical debt.
After opening remarks by Barbara Ferrer, Director of Los Angeles County Department of Public Health, Dr. Li presented on the topic of “Engaging Health Plans” at a working group on collective priorities during the summit, which was attended by other experts from community and state-based organizations like the California Health Care Foundation. The summit also included panel discussions on legislative victories, building community action, and financial assistance analysis.
The summit was the precursor to set the stage for future collective action on the massive medical debt, which disproportionately impacts vulnerable groups, owed by Los Angeles County residents. Dr. Li is motivated to address the root of the problem and orchestrate interventions to mitigate steep medical debt from occurring in the first place.
Dr. Li is a recognized leader in driving change within primary care and specialty care for Medi-Cal recipients and uninsured individuals.