Kaiser Permanente Dinged Again For Deficiencies In Mental Health Operations
The Department of Managed Health Care agreed Kaiser had undertaken “substantial actions” to improve access to follow-up mental health appointments, but said Kaiser has not proven with “verifiable results” that it is complying with state access laws.
Santa Rosa Press Democrat:
State Regulators Once Again Critical Of Kaiser Mental Health Access.
Despite efforts to hire more therapists, Kaiser Permanente continues to fall short in delivering timely and appropriate access to mental health services, according to state regulators. In its latest routine survey of the HMO, the state Department of Managed Health Care, which regulates and monitors health plans, identified several deficiencies in Kaiser’s Northern and Southern California mental health operations. Among other findings, the state said Kaiser does not adequately track the “availability and timelines” of follow-up mental health appointments, nor does it take effective and timely action when it finds problems. (Espinoza, 7/4)
In other news from across the state —
Sacramento Business Journal:
UC Davis Health System Dropping Out Of Western Health Advantage Provider Network
UC Davis Health System is dropping out of Western Health Advantage's provider network. (Robertson, 6/30)
KQED:
Chemicals Sicken Two Dozen Central Coast Farmworkers In One Week
Two dozen people who work in agricultural fields in the Salinas and Watsonville areas were hospitalized after chemical drifts apparently made them ill in the last week. But the state agencies that regulate pesticide and workplace safety are not investigating the incidents, and in one case authorities are not releasing the name of the companies that employed the sickened workers. (Goldberg, 6/30)
East Bay Times:
Richmond Plant Owner Slapped With $5.2 Million In Penalties
The owner of a defunct Iron Triangle metal plating company has been ordered to pay $5.2 million in civil penalties to the state for hazardous waste violations. But the lawyer for Marion Patigler, owner of Electro-Forming Co. at 130 Nevin Ave., said the state will collect only a small fraction of the judgment that was trumpeted on June 26 by the state Department of Toxic Substances Control. (Lochner, 7/3)
Los Angeles Times:
1,800 Tons Of Radioactive Waste Has An Ocean View And Nowhere To Go
The nation’s inability to find a permanent home for the dangerous byproduct of its 50-year-adventure in nuclear energy represents one of the biggest and longest running policy failures in federal government history. Now, the Trump administration and Congress are proposing a fast track fix. (Vartabedian, 7/2)