Report 2016-111 Recommendation 7 Responses

Report 2016-111: City of Irwindale: It Must Exercise More Fiscal Responsibility Over Its Spending So That It Can Continue to Provide Core Services to Residents (Release Date: November 2016)

Recommendation #7 To: Irwindale, City of

If the city chooses not to participate in the prescription discount card program offered by the League of California Cities, it should at least take the following step related to its current prescription drug benefit program: Align its prescription drug benefit program with its established purpose--to treat conditions proven to be caused or worsened by the city's mining activities--and limit the availability of benefits to only those medications approved for the treatment of such conditions.

1-Year Agency Response

There is no reliable way to determine which conditions are or are not a result of long-term mining activity exposure. Investigating this would be very cost prohibitive, offsetting any potential savings, and could likely violate medical privacy laws.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 1-Year Status: Will Not Implement

We stand by our recommendation that Irwindale should at least align its prescription drug benefit program with its established purpose--to treat conditions proven to be caused or worsened by the city's mining activities--and limit the availability of benefits to only those medications approved for the treatment of such conditions.

6-Month Agency Response

There is no reliable way to determine which conditions are or are not a result of long-term mining activity exposure. Investigating this would be very cost prohibitive, offsetting any potential savings, and could likely violate medical privacy laws.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 6-Month Status: Will Not Implement

We stand by our recommendation that Irwindale should at least align its prescription drug benefit program with its established purpose--to treat conditions proven to be caused or worsened by the city's mining activities--and limit the availability of benefits to only those medications approved for the treatment of such conditions.

60-Day Agency Response

There is no reliable way to determine which conditions are or are not a result of long-term mining activity exposure. Investigating this would certainly be very cost prohibitive, offsetting any savings, and very likely a violation of medical privacy laws.

California State Auditor's Assessment of 60-Day Status: Will Not Implement

We stand by our recommendation that Irwindale should at least align its prescription drug benefit program with its established purpose--to treat conditions proven to be caused or worsened by the city's mining activities--and limit the availability of benefits to only those medications approved for the treatment of such conditions.

All Recommendations in 2016-111

Agency responses received are posted verbatim.