The CalOptima board meets Thursday to discuss hiring an interim outside general counsel and to continue its closed-door evaluations of its operations, according to its agenda.
The evaluations began in April, according to CalOptima agendas.
A confidential preliminary assessment by Woodland Hills health care consultant Arthur S. Shorr reportedly warned that defects in CalOptima’s organization and management could cause serious problems, according to the Orange County Register.
There have also been questions about CalOptima officials receiving bonuses while patient rates were being increased.
The $1.3-billion program provides health care to about 400,000 low-income Orange County residents, primarily children, seniors and disabled people.
The Register stated that the nine-member board violated California open meeting laws by discussing the Shorr report in closed session. But board Chairman Ed Kacic issued a statement that insisted the board was acting “pursuant to the attorney-client and attorney work-product privileges.”
The Board of Supervisors this week voted 3-2 for final approval to a plan by Supervisor Janet Nguyen to increase the CalOptima board to 11 members, weaken the influence of nonprofit groups that represent the poor and give the medical industry and government more power.