In 1981, with the help of President Ronald Reagan, Supervisor Antonovich fought bureaucratic red tape to reopen Olive View Medical Center, transforming an earthquake-ravaged steel skeleton into a state-of-the art healthcare facility. Today, Olive View Medical Center provides residents of the San Fernando and Santa Clarita Valleys with access to an optimal health care delivery system.

In response to the growing population and health care needs of the Antelope Valley, Supervisor Antonovich worked with the City of Lancaster and the private sector for a new Multi-Service Ambulatory Center (MACC) replacing the existing High Desert Health System Facility.  The medical center will be designed and constructed with the needs of the community as the primary focus, helping to reduce the burden on the crowded local emergency rooms and enhance patient access.  The MACC will also be relocated to a more central location, helping to serve 60% more patients.

With completion anticipated in late 2010 and full operation by 2013, the $98 million 124,000 square foot facility complex will include a new ambulatory surgery center, clinic building, administration and support facility, and a new central plant.

In 2007, to provide easier access to refills for prescription drugs, Supervisor Antonovich directed the Department of Health Services to develop a pilot program in the Antelope Valley to provide an automated mailing service for prescription drug refills.  Currently, patients in the County’s Health Care System are required to travel to a County Health Care Facility to refill a prescription.  The new program will help alleviate the stress many patients experience in having to travel long distances to refill their prescriptions, it will also save taxpayers millions by transiting from hand-filled refills to an automated refill system.

To fight the spread of food-borne illnesses and unsanitary restaurant conditions, Supervisor Antonovich initiated the County’s Restaurant Food Grading System in 1997.  The grading system promotes cleaner and healthier eating establishments and gives consumers vital information to make informed choices.

A study reported in the March 2005 issue of the Journal of Environmental Health, found that the use of restaurant grade cards and revised inspection system was associated with a 13% decrease in food borne disease hospitalizations in the county and provides evidence that the use of publicly posted grade cards at restaurants and other commercial food establishments protect the public's health.

In addition, Supervisor Antonovich directed the Department of Public Health to translate the County’s Health Code in multiple languages and encourage greater community outreach and safe food preparation education to multicultural groups.

To stop the flood of illegal food vendors in the Antelope Valley, Supervisor Antonovich called for additional sweeps on evenings and weekends. “Illegal street vendors lack the appropriate health permits and fail to practice adequate hygiene procedures and are a threat to public health,” said Antonovich.  In most cases, there is no way to determine where the food is prepared and whether it was prepared in a clean, safe environment free of dust, vermin or other hazards.  On the street, the food product is handled without hand washing or toilet facilities.

In addition to the increased sweeps in the evening and on weekends when street vendors are more plentiful, a dedicated vehicle to transport illegal vending carts will be assigned to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health which investigates and enforces California Health and Safety Codes on all mobile food vehicles in the County.