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Wednesday, October 13, 2004 Sanctions may result in probe of centerAfter a month-long investigation of the Los Lunas Community Program, Secretary Designate of Health Michelle Lujan Grisham said problems in client care, oversight and fiscal management could result in sanctions affecting the Department of Health (DOH). Grisham said in a previous interview that the investigation began after the DOH saw that financial records indicated the LLCP was "woefully over-budget." The DOH had also received numerous anonymous phone calls from clients and employees. The DOH's internal investigation was conducted in conjunction with representatives from social service agencies such as the Agency for the Aging, Children, Youth and Families and Adult Protective Services. "Although we likely will take some hits because of our oversight of the program, eventually we will come out ahead because we will have assured that we've identified deficiencies and addressed them, held responsible parties accountable for any shortcomings and improved relationships between consumers and the department," said Grisham in a recent press release. Findings in direct care to clients include:
Findings in oversight include:
"This is particularly egregious because the Department of Health is responsible for administering the Criminal History Screening Program," said Grisham. Employees of hospitals and long-term care facilities who provide direct care to patients must go through a background screening. Fiscal findings include:
The Human Services Department will review possible fines based on failures of the program to meet state standards. The DOH will pay any fines into the state's General Fund if they are assessed. "We are holding ourselves to the same standards that we hold private facilities," said Grisham. "We are facing difficult financial times in the department, but I intend to go through with the fines because it is the right thing to do." DOH will manage the facility while the investigation takes place. Department of Health Public Information Officer Kay Bird said the review process might take some time and that fines have not yet been determined. "It's our first priority to give the people who receive care at that facility the best care and treatment possible. That's our main concern," said Bird. She also said that the DOH has addressed any wrongdoing or shortcomings of the staff at LLCP, put them through due process or found a more suitable position for them. Matt McCune, director of the Los Lunas program, resigned last week after he took three weeks of administrative leave during the investigation. Bird said the DOH wants a new director to be in place during the next two months. Until that time, John Foley is acting as director. Foley served as the director of the Arc of New Mexico for over a decade. The Arc is an advocate for the developmentally disabled. Of the approximately 200 clients receiving services from LLCP; about 99 percent are on Medicaid. Paul Nixon, a spokesman for Attorney General Patricia Madrid's office, said they are also conducting an ongoing investigation for possible Medicaid fraud and exploitation. "Our research will continue as we are made aware of other issues," he said. Nixon said Madrid is pleased by the co-operation of the DOH in the investigation. "Representatives from Medicaid fraud have met with representatives from the Department of Health and they have said we would have their full support in the investigation," said Nixon.
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