Conferencia de prensa hoy a las 6 PM en Clinica Romero

For Immediate Release:

As Community Clinic Faces Near Closure, a Coalition of Patients Will Unveil a Rescue Plan to Save Services and the Clinic at a Press Conference Today    

Press Conference

Today, May 25

6 p.m.

123 South Alvarado Street
Los Angeles, CA 90057

Contact: Daniel Guzman, 323-229-2912 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            323-229-2912      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

Los Angeles --The Clínica Monseñor Oscar A. Romero Founders Committee, a coalition of patients, workers and community members, will hold a press conference today at 6 p.m. to unveil a plan to rescue the clinic from mismanagement, financial ruin and the threat of closure. Patients are urging the clinic’s leadership to allow patients a voice in their clinic.

On Tuesday, May 24, a delegation from the committee attempted to participate in a meeting of the clinic’s board of directors, to shine a light on the lack of transparency, company code and meeting violations and financial mismanagement. The board has broken federal laws and bylaws stipulating that patients must comprise 51% of the board’s composition.

At the meeting, clients talked about the need to give patients, who come from Latin American communities, a voice in the clinic which was founded in 1980, with a mission to provide healthcare services to immigrants and low-income families.

Patients attended last night’s meeting with the intent to nominate patients to the board. However, only three board members were present so a formal meeting was precluded. Three other board members including Board Chair Carlos Vaquerano did not to attend the meeting he had originally convened.

Patients, staff and community members are raising concerns about the clinic’s management:

·         Lack of an emergency stabilization plan to protect the clinic from service cuts and closures
·         Systemic exclusion of patients from underserved communities from the clinic’s board
·         Overstatement of the clinics financial health leading to a $1.2 million deficit
·         Questions regarding expenses for which no accounting exists
·         Billing patients up to $250 per visit in violation of the clinic’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) contract with Los Angeles County 
·         Using the clinic at the expense of its patients to fund and implement programs of the organization SALEF, the Board President’s private non-profit

“This is about saving Clínica Monseñor Oscar A. Romero and the principals on which it was founded 30 years ago, including free and affordable healthcare for the undeserved,” said Coalition member Daniel Guzmán.     

Press Conference

Today, May 25

6 p.m.

123 South Alvarado Street
Los Angeles, CA 90057

Contact: Daniel Guzman, 323-229-2912 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting            323-229-2912      end_of_the_skype_highlighting

What: Community Coalition will demand accountability from Clinic leaders and urge patients to be placed on the Board.