HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 06091987 - 2.7 THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on June 9 , 1987 , by the following vote:
AYES; Supervisors Powers, Fanden, Schroder, Torlakson, McPeak
NOES; None
ABSENT; None
ABSTAIN; None
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SUBJECT; Nursing Home Issues
Mark Finucane, Health Services Director, advised the
Board that he had met with representatives of the Alhambra
Convalescent Hospital and State certification officials to deter-
mine if the County could offer any assistance to mitigate the
differences between the regulatory agency and the operators of the
nursing home. He stated that after thorough research, the State
agency had issued approximately 90 pages of citations against the
Alhambra Convalescent Hospital and that under the circumstances
there was nothing the County could do. He noted, however, that
State and County officials and the operators of the nursing home
were working together to transfer the 27 Medi-Cal patients affected
by the certification loss to other facilities prior to the June 15
deadline. Mr. Finucane further advised that the owner of the
Alhambra Convalescent Hospital had proposed that the County buy
and/or operate the facility.
Supervisor Fanden commented on the need for additional
nursing home beds for Medi-Cal patients, and urged further investi-
gation of the proposal as a positive step in Contra Costa County' s
geriatric program. Supervisor Fanden also commented on the need
for notification from the State agencies of potential citations of
nursing homes so that the County does not continue to be faced with
this type of emergency situation. She also expressed concern about
the low wages paid to nursing home employees which may contribute
to a lack of employee interest in conforming to State regulations.
Supervisor Tom Powers expressed his support of a review
of the possibility of the County assuming operation of the Alhambra
Convalescent Hospital. He suggested that a letter be sent to the
State requesting prompt notification of potential problems in
nursing homes with Medi-Cal patients. Supervisor Powers commented
on the need for legislation dealing with the low pay scale for
nursing home employees, and recommended legislative hearings in
Contra Costa County to investigate the problem.
Supervisor Fanden referred to a previous recommendation
to train GAIN participants to work in the nursing homes. She
suggested a County training program to augment nursing home staffs
and provide on-the-job training for GAIN participants interested in
pursuing careers in the medical field.
After further discussion by Board members, IT IS ORDERED
that the following actions are APPROVED:
1. ACCEPTED oral report from Mark Finucane, Health
Services Director, on status of Alhambra
Convalescent Hospital;
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2. AUTHORIZED Health Services Director to enter into
negotiations with the owners of the Alhambra
Convalescent Hospital for possible County acquisi-
tion and/or operation of the Hospital, and report
back to the Board by the end of June;
3 . AUTHORIZED a letter to the State requesting
notification of pending citations against nursing
homes, particularly those with Medi-Cal patient
census;
4. DIRECTED staff to renew all efforts to expand the
number of nursing homes and beds for Medi-Cal
patients;
5. DIRECTED that legislators be requested to conduct
hearings in the County on long-term care for the
aging;
6. REQUESTED Health Services Director to report on
status of previous recommendations of the Board
related to nursing homes, including training GAIN
participants to work in nursing homes, and the
progress on agreements with facilities to accept a
fair share of Medi-Cal patients; and
7. DIRECTED the Health Services Director to explore the
feasibility of contracting on a higher per capita
basis with the State, as an extension of the Contra
Costa Health Plan or an addendum to the County' s
Medi-Cal contract.
cc: Health Services Director
County Administrator
I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of
an action taken and entered on the rninWes of the
Board of Supervi s on the date shown.
ATTESTED: 9 9
PHIL BAT HELOR, C?ed, of the Board
of Supervisors,and County Administrator
By i , Deputy
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