County Supervisors Examine Health Care Costs, Coverage
Fresno and Los Angeles Counties recently took action on health care-related efforts. Summaries appear below.
County supervisors on Tuesday delayed voting on a proposal to provide mental health services only to residents with serious mental health illnesses, those who are in a crisis situation or those who receive Medi-Cal benefits, the Fresno Bee reports.
Supervisors asked the mental health advisory board to submit a recommendation within the next several weeks.
The proposal, by Giang Nguyen, Behavioral Health director, would eliminate services for 1,000 adults currently receiving treatment through the county's mental health department. About 20,000 county residents receive mental health services annually.
Nguyen said that residents who become ineligible would be referred to private health clinics and primary care physicians in the community.
County officials said the proposal aims to eliminate million-dollar budget deficits in its mental health departments. The county already has reduced services, cut clinic hours and laid off staff (Ginis, Fresno Bee, 6/6).
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday voted to re-examine whether the health department should provide Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage to residents through county pharmacies, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Supervisors ordered the county executive and health department officials to report back to the board within 15 days on Medicare Part D participation (Los Angeles Times, 6/6).