Dear Acting Administrator Norwalk:
The United States Senate Committee on Finance (Committee) has exclusive jurisdiction over the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Accordingly, it has a responsibility to the more than 80 million Americans who receive health care through these programs to ensure that they receive the highest quality of care from safe and trusted providers. As Chairman of the Committee, I take that responsibility very seriously.
I am writing to you in response to the media coverage of events at Martin Luther King, Jr.-Harbor Hospital in Los Angeles, California. The press reports about the unfortunate death of Edith Rodriguez are disturbing. There have been many prior deaths and long-standing problems; and local and state attempts to improve the hospital have failed. CMS has taken significant measures and allocated federal resources to help correct the standard of care at King-Harbor Hospital to no avail. After a failed federal inspection, CMS withdrew $200 million in funding for the hospital.
I would like to know what additional actions your agency is taking or plans to take to ensure that King-Harbor Hospital provides the appropriate level of care in a safe setting, including ensuring its compliance with the Medicare Conditions of Participation.
I appreciate your prompt attention to this request. Please arrange a briefing on the situation and your efforts for my Committee staff no later than June 29, 2007. Should you have any questions, please contact Neleen Eisinger of my Committee Staff at (202) 224-4515 with any questions.
Sincerely,
Max Baucus Chairman
Source: Ranking Member’s News
