Patient Advocate releases report card on HMOs, medical groups

The Office of the Patient Advocate, a state entity that deals with consumer complaints about HMOs, has released its seventh annual report card, which rates HMOs and medical groups that serve almost half of all Californians. The report card indicates that HMOs and medical groups could do a better job, the OPA said.

The release of the data coincides with Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s proposal to expand health-care coverage–a proposal that has run into political trouble in the Capitol and among a number of interest groups.

“Consumers will be better equipped to advocate for themselves and to spur even greater advances in the quality of care and service,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary Kim Belsh