Watson on Molina Medical Centers
I am deeply disappointed with the way The Times tied my name in to the Molina/Medi-Cal story (Dec. 18). The article was built on innuendo and distortion, and was certainly way below any acceptable journalistic standard. Your portrayal of me ignored a decade of commitment to quality medical care for the poor.
Your story distorted facts and manipulated my statements. All of your innuendo was based on the existence of a perceived “relationship” between Molina Medical Centers and myself. I had no more of a relationship with Molina than I have with other health providers. I met with Dr. Molina one time in Sacramento and once in my district. In both meetings I encouraged him to seek Knox-Keene licensure as an HMO, and to meet the strict licensure standards of that category. After the process was completed, I verbally accepted an invitation to be a member of their board; however, I never met with the board, never completed the application for membership, never spoke with them again, never received any compensation from Molina, and never knew of the secret, preliminary audits later leaked to The Times. I never took any action that affected the status of Molina Medical Centers with the state or any other reviewing authority. This can be substantiated by the record.
Ironically, I have long held serious doubts regarding the policy of transferring public patients into managed care, chiefly because I feared for the quality of such care. The Times chose to ignore several bills I have authored to slow down the imposition of managed care and to assure the best possible care to the poor.
The audit findings against Molina were held in confidence by the state and known only to the auditor and the licensing authority. I did nothing to alter the official review of Molina’s application, knew nothing of the negative audit charges, and indeed, only recommended Molina upgrade its licensure status in order to assure my constituents a higher standard of medical care. I have made similar recommendations to dozens, perhaps hundreds, of other medical providers given the realities of the market-driven health system. That such unsustained accusations would be used by The Times to tarnish my contribution to public policy is incredible.
It is regrettable that a publication with the stature of The Times resorts to gross distortion in order to create a story.
SEN. DIANE E. WATSON
Chairperson, State Senate Committee
on Health and Human Services
D-Los Angeles
