LOS ANGELES: Three California centers for the developmentally disabled are at risk of losing Medicaid funding after some patients were found in unsafe situations, state health officials said.
The California Department of Public Health announced that it would take steps to decertify the Porterville, Lanterman and Fairview Developmental Centers.
Health officials said they discovered “situations involving immediate jeopardy” to patients at the three facilities.
“The actions we’re taking today are necessary to ensure that the Developmental Centers improve the quality of care at these facilities,” said Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the health department.
The exact nature of the problems was unclear. Spokeswoman Anita Gore said documents providing more details would be posted on the department website after being redacted.
The facilities had been under review throughout the last year due to “deficient practices.”
The Department of Developmental Services, which oversees the institutions, has appealed termination of the funding.
The department said in a statement released to The Associated Press that the centers “remain fully operational” and it is “committed to making the necessary improvements that ensure appropriate and safe services at these facilities.”
Health officials said they would work with the Department of Developmental Services to find a way to continue the Medicaid certification.
“We will work with them to try to ensure that they come into compliance so that they don’t have to be terminated,” Gore told the Los Angeles Times.
But if they fail to do so, they could begin losing some of their funding by mid-May, affecting the services received by 430 people.
However, Gore added, “We believe they will come back into compliance.” -AP
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