New Santa Ana | Tag Archives: Healthcare

Nguyen gets an OC GOP award as her CalOptima takeover gets slammed by the Feds

Posted on January 25, 2014 by Art Pedroza Posted in Health and Medical, Janet Nguyen, Jose Solorio, Orange County, Republican Party, Santa Ana, Seniors Leave a comment

Cartoon Janet Nguyen

Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen was recognized this week as “Local Elected Official of the Year” by the Orange County Republican Party, according to the Voice of OC.

Nguyen commented on the award stating, “I’m humbled to be recognized for the work I have done for the people of my community. In 2013 transportation issues, sweeping changes to healthcare laws and prison realignment proved to be a challenge for many. People have looked to their local government for help and I worked tirelessly to provide leadership in tough economic times. My commitment is to making government work for the people in the most efficient and responsible manner that is accountable to the taxpayers.”

But karma quickly caught up with Nguyen as “Federal officials Friday ordered CalOptima, Orange County’s health plan for low income and disabled residents, to immediately halt enrollment of elderly patients into its 16,000-member OneCare program, citing a “serious threat to the health and safety” of participants,” according to the Voice of OC. Continue reading→

Nguyen responds to critics of her destruction of CalOptima

Posted on January 31, 2013 by Art Pedroza Posted in Health and Medical, Janet Nguyen, Orange County Fair, Santa Ana, Shawn Nelson 1 Comment

Janet Nguyen and Matt Harper

From the OC Politics Blog

Orange County Supervisor Janet Nguyen struck back at the Orange County Grand Jury this week, in an editorial published by the O.C. Register.

Nguyen claims that CalOptima, the County’s largest insurer – which provides for the health care needs of the poor, was wasting money. In particular she referenced the purchase of a building that was bought by CalOptima and for which they are still paying a lease. But Supervisor John Moorlach “defended the building purchase, saying the cash transaction reduced the organization’s overall occupancy costs even though it had to keep its lease at the former building,” according to the O.C. Register.

So Nguyen wants to set the record straight? OK – let’s have a look at just what she did to CalOptima – as we try to figure out what her intentions were: Continue reading→

Updated: Supervisor Nguyen using her CalOptima seat to raise campaign funds

Posted on February 17, 2012 by Art Pedroza Posted in 2012 Elections, Health and Medical, Janet Nguyen, Orange County, Politics, Santa Ana Leave a comment

UPDATE: Supervisor Janet Nguyen may be up to her old tricks again. In the past she has used anonymous surrogates to do her dirty work, including buying URLs similar to those used by her political opponents, and redirecting them to nasty sites. Now an anonymous letter has been sent to the CalOptima board of directors Thursday accuses two board members — Chairman Ed Kacic and Mary Anne Foo — of improprieties, allegations both strongly denied, according to the Voice of OC. And it turns out that Kacis is only trying to help the community:

Kacic, president of the Irvine Health Foundation, said his organization belongs to the Managed System of Care, a group that includes the CEOs of all Orange County hospitals, the county Health Care Agency, the Veterans Administration, CalOptima, clinics, major medical groups and business interests.

Continue reading→