LOS ANGELES COUNTY : Health Chief Under Fire Over Computer Problems
Los Angeles County’s health director has come under blistering criticism for failing to inform the Board of Supervisors until recently about the potential failure of a $65-million computerized billing system.
After upbraiding Health Services Director Robert C. Gates for failing to disclose severe problems with the computer system, the Board of Supervisors ordered a secret report on the reasons the problems occurred--prompting critics to complain that the action was a cover-up.
Supervisors said the report’s contents should not be made public because it could be used against the county if officials declare the computer system, developed by IBM Corp. and Baxter Healthcare Corp., a failure and either side files suit.
The county has failed to realize a projected $2 million in savings this year from the IBAX system, and delays and problems at High Desert Medical Center in Lancaster and Rancho Los Amigos in Downey could end up costing taxpayers more than $16 million.
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