Healthcare Watchdog Congratulates Seton Medical Coastside Workers
Workers take stand, protest against potential buyer
LOS ANGELES, July 29, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Our SALUD, a Los Angeles area grassroots health care watchdog coalition, today expressed support for Seton Medical Center Coastside workers in their protest of the sale of Seton Medical Center to potential buyer, Prime Healthcare Services. It has been reported the workers are urging the Daughters of Charity, who own Seton Medical Center in Moss Beach, to select a responsible buyer, one that is beneficial to both patients and employees.
Warning of the potential negativity impact on the surrounding community, healthcare advocate Nestor Valencia of Our SALUD, said, "Prime Health Care has a checkered past." "There are numerous reports from Rhode Island to California alleging Prime Health Care has a history of buying hospitals in disadvantaged communities and then pillaging those very communities for profit."
Valencia went on to say, "Serving the needs of the sick and the poor is the mission of the Daughters of Charity and we urge them to stay true to that mission in the sale of the hospital." "We urge the Daughters of Charity," Valencia continued, "to keep faith with their vision and select a buyer who will continue that vital community care."
It is widely reported that Prime is the subject of numerous complaints to state and federal authorities concerning their billing and patient care practices, and currently under investigation by the United States government concerning its Medicare practices.
In June, Our SALUD filed a complaint against the head of the California Department of Public Health for allegedly not doing his job to protect the health and well-being of all Californians, especially the most vulnerable, from Prime. The lawsuit alleged Ron Chapman, MD, Director, California Department of Public Health has failed to protect the communities in which Prime Healthcare operates. Prime Health Care owns 18 hospitals and health centers in California.
Our SALUD has a history of fighting to correct abuses, protect patients and fight for safer, healthier communities. The group has helped mobilize grassroots and local government support for initiatives to combat HMO abuses and environmental contamination at the local and statewide level.
About Our SALUD
Our SALUD (Somos Aliados Latinos Unidos por la Dignidad – Latino Allies United for Dignity) is a grassroots health care watchdog coalition representing civic, community and business leaders from the Southern California Latino communities. We believe that our low-income, minority communities deserve quality health care access equal to other communities. We believe our communities are not unlike other communities in California which are yearning for best practices and quality health care.
About McCLELLAND Advocacy
Michael McClelland is the founder and principal of McClelland Advocacy, Ltd. A recognized expert in healthcare law, Mr. McClelland is the former Chief prosecutor of the California Department of Managed Health Care, the nation's only stand alone HMO regulator. He regularly represents clients ranging from physicians to health plans, including some of the country's largest health plans, physician groups, and direct primary care practices.
SOURCE Our SALUD
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