Federal Judge Announces Probe To See If California Prison Officials Committed ‘Fraud On The Court’
U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller did not officially appoint an investigator during the hearing, but said she planned to file a written explanation of what she wants investigated.
Sacramento Bee:
Judge Wants Investigator To Probe Whistleblower Claims On Prison Psychiatric Reports
A federal judge in Sacramento said Monday that she intends to appoint an independent investigator to look into whether state corrections officials committed “fraud on the court” in reports they have submitted regarding the level of psychiatric care inside California’s prisons. The extraordinary move by U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller would give an investigator or law firm access to corrections records and witnesses to determine whether allegations leveled by the state’s chief prison psychiatrist have merit. (Stanton, 11/5)
LAist:
Independent Investigation Considered In Wake Of Scathing Report By State's Top Prison Psychiatrist
The release of Dr. Michael Golding's 161-page report may deal a blow to the state's efforts to end more than two decades of federal oversight of psychiatric care in California's prisons. The decision to release that report was made by the federal judge charged with making sure treatment is improving. At hearing Monday, U.S. District Judge Kimberly Mueller indicated that she is considering hiring an independent investigator to conduct an investigation into the report. (Perry, 11/5)
And in other state health news --
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
Petaluma Schools To Launch Opioid Prevention Program Across Classrooms
The Petaluma school district will be the first in Northern California to roll out a Drug Enforcement Administration opioid prevention program, in response to rising concerns over a nationwide opioid epidemic. Operation Prevention, developed by the DEA and textbook and curriculum provider Discovery Education, will launch this spring in the district of over 7,400 students. The program teaches students as young as 8 years old about the dangers of prescription opioid abuse, providing resources such as lesson plans, videos, PowerPoint presentations and parent toolkits in English and Spanish. (Minichiello, 11/5)
The San Diego Union-Tribune:
San Diego's ResMed To Buy Health Software Firm MatrixCare For $750 Million
ResMed, a San Diego maker of sleep apnea devices, has inked a deal to acquire long-term care software firm MatrixCare for $750 million. The acquisition announced Monday boosts ResMed’s efforts in digital health software -- particularly in the skilled nursing and senior living markets. Based in Minnesota, MatrixCare’s Electronic Health Record software helps manage point of care, referrals, claims processing, payroll, nutrition and other services for roughly 15,000 providers of long-term and post hospital care services. (Freeman, 11/5)