Los Angeles Mayor Calls for Health Care Reforms

Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa (D), speaking at the third meeting of the U.S. Conference of Mayors' poverty task force, said the country needs to find a solution to rising health care costs because millions of working U.S. citizens cannot afford health insurance, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Villaraigosa, who chaired the task force meeting, said he hopes the meeting will lead to new federal policy. He added that the delegation could travel to Washington, D.C., by the end of the year to discuss its concerns.

In addition to creating affordable health care, Villaraigosa said he also will advocate partnerships between the government and private industries to create jobs and affordable housing (Pfeifer, Los Angeles Times, 6/3).