Southern Inyo hospital official claims HCCA sent supplies from Tulare, “grossly deficient” in management

Posted on March 13, 2018March 29, 2018 by Tony Maldonado Jr

Healthcare Conglomerate Associates’ (HCCA) management of the Southern Inyo Healthcare District’s hospital was ineffective, hindered the hospital’s regulatory compliance, and was fiscally irresponsible, a legal filing by the district claims. The filing also repeats claims that the Tulare-based hospital management company shared money and supplies between the Southern Inyo district, which owns the Southern Inyo […]

District attorney provides update on HCCA investigation

Posted on March 6, 2018March 8, 2018 by Tony Maldonado Jr

An investigation into Healthcare Conglomerate Associates’ (HCCA) conduct while managing Tulare Regional Medical Center (TRMC) continues, Tulare County District Attorney Tim Ward told the public on March 6. At a presentation before the Tulare County Board of Supervisors, Ward stated that his office’s involvement began in the summer of 2017, when the office attempted to […]

Tulare hospital board receives financial update

Posted on March 1, 2018March 1, 2018 by Tony Maldonado Jr

While the Tulare Regional Medical Center’s forensic laboratory is open, the hospital and its clinics still have no concrete opening dates, the hospital’s board was told Wednesday night. “I think the summation of where we are is that HCCA left a lot of major obstacles in our way,” Larry Blitz, the hospital’s interim CEO, told […]

Tulare hospital to reopen its Mineral King Lab

Posted on February 21, 2018February 21, 2018 by Valley Voice Contributor

Tulare Local Healthcare District will reopen its forensic laboratory Monday. Mineral King Lab was closed on Oct. 28, 2017 by Healthcare Conglomerate Associates, the district’s former management partner. While the district’s board voted in October to voluntarily suspend its acute care license — which covers the operation of the Tulare Regional Medical Center — the […]

Tulare hospital sues to exit loan arrangement

Posted on February 13, 2018February 15, 2018 by Tony Maldonado Jr

The Tulare Local Healthcare District is looking to exit a leaseback arrangement it claims was set up by Dr. Benny Benzeevi, the head of Healthcare Conglomerate Associates (HCCA), the district’s former management partner. The district claims that the leaseback agreement wasn’t authorized. While the sale and leaseback of the district’s assets was first revealed in […]

UPDATED: Typos lead to alleged Brown Act violation

Posted on February 5, 2018February 6, 2018 by Tony Maldonado Jr

When you’re sending an email, make sure to check that the addresses you’re sending it to are valid. Especially if you’re sending a board meeting agenda for, say, the Tulare Local Healthcare District. The Visalia Times-Delta has alleged that the Tulare Local Healthcare District violated the Brown Act when it incorrectly typed out the email […]

Doctor to pursue whistleblower suit against Tulare hospital

Posted on February 5, 2018February 5, 2018 by Tony Maldonado Jr

A Visalia doctor is attempting to pursue a lawsuit against the Tulare Local Healthcare District (TLHCD) after she claims she was retaliated against for speaking with investigators from the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). Dr. Rebecca Zulim claims that she was forced to take a “voluntary leave” from the district’s hospital, the Tulare Regional […]

Tulare hospital votes to remove Mathis’ name from recommendation

Posted on February 1, 2018February 1, 2018 by Catherine Doe

The Tulare Local Healthcare District had a special meeting January 31 to discuss, among other business, a “Recommendation to authorize Assembly Member Devon Mathis and State Senator Jean Fuller to represent the District before government agencies on behalf of the District.” The recommendation came after the JLAC “unanimously approved a request by Senator Jean Fuller […]

More turmoil at Tulare Public Cemetery

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Catherine Doe

Rest in Peace is more of a suggestion than reality at the Tulare Public Cemetery District. After a first round of board resignations and longtime employee departures in September of 2017, a second round of resignations has hit the district. Two newly appointed trustees have resigned, employees have been fired, and one more case of […]

JLAC approves audit of Tulare Regional Medical Center

Posted on January 30, 2018 by Valley Voice Contributor

Today, the Joint Legislative Audit Committee (JLAC) unanimously approved a request by Senator Jean Fuller (R-Bakersfield) to audit the Healthcare Conglomerate Associates, Tulare Regional Medical Center, and the Tulare Local Health Care District. “This audit is necessary to ensure local bonds intended to support a community hospital were used appropriately, efficiently and effectively,” said Senator […]