Health Committee
May 10, 2006 - 7:30 am
DRAFT MINUTES
Members: Sean Clark, Chairman; Sandy Price, Vice Chairman; Larry Cornell, Mike McKee and Tom Williams, Ron VanDee
Others Present: Richard Van Donsel, County Attorney; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Jackie Gailor, Director, Health Department; Jeremy Boylan, Cortland Standard
Absent: Carol Tytler
Mr. Clark called the meeting to order at 7:32 a.m.
Ms. Price made the motion to
adoption of the minutes of the April 5, 2006 meeting; seconded by Mr. Van Dee.
All members voting in favor, minutes approved as printed.
RESOLUTIONS:
1.
Authorize Agreements/Children with Special Needs Program (Contract for
Services)– Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Van Dee.
Ms. Gailor explained that this resolution is for Pre-K provider
agreements and they are on a school year basis which runs July 1 through June
31. Ms. Price inquired about if
there are any changes in the amounts. Ms.
Gailor explained that these amounts are the same as they have been.
Mr. Van Donsel questioned the phrase in the contract for other
contractors. Ms. Gailor explained
that this is for any new contractor that is in the area or if there are any
new items on the horizon or any new state requirements. Mr. Van Donsel
questioned that if something were to come up would there be a problem having a
new resolution passed. Ms. Gailor
explained that they are time sensitive and there may be a problem with putting
a resolution through in time, she added that independent contractors are
approved by the State. Mr. Clark
added that parental requests do come up also.
Mr. Van Donsel requested that if there are any additional contractors
that Ms. Galor notify the committee. Ms.
Gailor agreed. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
Ms. Price inquired about the “Wait List” for services and the status of some that are on that list. Ms. Gailor explained that a portion of that is due to the fact that it is the end of the school year. She added that the Rackers Center is not providing some services for the summer. Ms. Price addressed some additional concerns with children being on the wait list so long and Ms. Gailor addressed those concerns and discussed some state rates.
2.
Authorize Agreement/Nursing Division (Jack Venesky, CPA)– Mr. McKee moved
adoption; seconded by Mr. Cornell. Ms.
Gailor explained that Mr. Venesky is an auditor who specializes in CHHA and
governmental agencies. She added
that he recommends changes and improvements and he recommended software that
has assisted in maximizing revenue. Ms.
Gailor also stated that Mr. Venesky is available at all times and keeps the
department up to date with changes. Mr.
Clark added that Medicare can go back years and deny payment and this helps in
those cases. Ms. Gailor agreed
and further discussed it. All
members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
Mr. Williams addressed concerns he has regarding using the
same auditor from year to year and added that currently we have contracts for
about $32,000 for outside auditing this year; approximately five resolutions
have been passed. Mr. Van Dee
pointed out that this is probably the same as what we have passed in past
years. Mr. Williams inquired
about the last time we went out for bid.
Ms. Gailor explained that it was about six years ago the department
checked into another qualified CPA who specialized government agencies.
Mr. Venesky was less expensive. Mr.
Williams expressed his concerns about just a couple of CPA’s having all this
wrapped up and not looking at other competition.
Ms. Gailor agreed that he had a valued concern and she further
discussed the relationship that the Health Department had with Mr. Venesky.
Mr. Van Dee discussed that a few years ago the Health Department was
behind in receiving payments and Mr. Venesky has assisted in bringing them up
to date with billing. Ms. Gailor
explained that with changes in Medicare and being behind in payments and
billing and the assistance received from Mr. Venesky to bring it all up to
date. She further explained briefly the process and level of
complexity. Mr. McKee inquired
about having any checks and balances for the Auditor. Ms. Gailor explained that there are nationalized companies
that do the checks and balances, but Mr. Venesky is actually doing the checks
and balances on the County. Mr.
Clark stated that Mr. Venesly is our checks and balances. Mr. Williams inquired about the auditing of our books and is
everything being done and what other options do we have.
Ms. Gailor addressed her concerns that there are different types of
auditing; the Health Department and Sheriff’s Department are two different
types of audits; the specialty needs to be looked at.
Mr. Clark agreed it is worth our while to look at.
Mr. Williams asked if there were any other types of auditing contracts
that are for two years. Ms.
Gailor explained that she had no knowledge of any other two-year contracts for
auditing. Mr. Williams requested
that Ms. Gailor provide the committee with a spreadsheet containing the amount
paid to each Auditor, name of each Auditor, how long they have done the Audit
for the County and a brief description of what they are Auditing. Ms. Gailor agreed that she would obtain the information.
3.
Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds (Central NY Regional Immunization
Information System) – Mr.
Cornell moved adoption;
seconded by Ms. Price. Ms. Gailor
explained that this agreement is for an annual sub-contract regarding
immunization registry. Ms. Gailor
further explained the importance of a registry, which was noticed last year
when Hurricane Katrina hit and people were spread out across the country and
some children had to start their immunizations all over again.
All members present voting in
favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
4.
Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds (Cancer Services Program) –
Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Mr. McKee. Ms. Gailor explained that this is for colorectal screening
and breast health partnership. She
added that this actually is a Medicaid funded program. Ms. Gailor explained that this funding pays for about one
full time staff and some other staffing.
She added that the bulk of the money goes into professional services.
All members present voting in
favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
5.
Authorize Agreements/Accept Funds/Environmental Health (Drinking Water
Program) – Mr.
McKee moved adoption; seconded by Mr. Cornell.
Ms. Gailor explained that this has been in effect for six years and the
funding has remained the same. She
further discussed that it is used to drill wells in areas that have issues.
She further added that they plan to do one well but they will do as
many as need to be done. The
committee discussed some past wells that have been drilled. Ms. Gailor explained that monitoring is continued after the
initial drilling and testing is done. Mr.
Clark inquired about some specific tests that are done.
Ms. Gailor was not certain exactly what specific tests are done but
does know that the testing does pick up specific items.
She referred any further questions regarding the testing to Audrey
Lewis in Environmental Health. All
members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
6.
Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds/Environmental Health (Pesticide
Application for Mosquito/Larva Control)– Mr. Van Dee moved
adoption; seconded by Ms. Price. Ms.
Gailor explained that this is passed annually to have in case of any evidence
of West Nile Virus in Cortland County. She
further explained state aid as it relates to this.
All members present voting in
favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
7.
Authorize Contracts (Translation Services) – Ms. Price moved
adoption; seconded by Mr. Cornell. Ms.
Gailor explained that in the past the County has used local people to assist
in translation and this is becoming more difficult with HIPPA regulations. She explained some specific types of cases in which
translators would be necessary. Ms.
Gailor explained that there is a need for a translator with a medical
background. Mr. McKee inquired
about a past resolution regarding translators and if the translators are
needed in all County clinics. Ms.
Gailor explained that this resolution for translation services is for clinics
that are provided by the County. Mr.
Williams inquired about interfacing technology and translation software. Ms. Gailor explained that she had not looked into this and it
could be cost prohibited. Mr.
Williams discussed translation software further.
Mr. Gailor stated that she would look into it. Mr. McKee inquired about possibly having a student from TC3
assist in translation. Ms. Gailor
explained that there are HIPPA regulations that would make this very
difficult. Ms. Gailor further
explained that there are individuals on staff that can translate; one is an RN
and the other is a Nutritionist and they both are versed in HIPPA.
Ms. Gailor further explained some regulations regarding HIPPA and
immunizations. All
members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
DISCUSSIONS/PRESENTATIONS:
1. Mental Health Department – Ms. Price inquired about the restructuring of the Mental Health Clinic. Mr. Clark stated that he has discussed this with Mr. Schrader and Mr. Schrader is taking an oversight and management role in the Mental Health. Committee members discussed the restructuring issues of Mental Health. Ms. Price questioned as to what the Committee’s role is in this. Mr. McKee explained that this was discussed in the Community Services Board meeting briefly and Mr. Capanzano quickly put a halt to the discussion. Ms. Price would like the Community Services Board and the County to work together in finding a replacement for Ms. Medeiros. Mr. McKee would like to see Mr. Schrader included in that. Committee Members were informed that the Community Services Board meets the fourth Tuesday of the month at 7:30. Mr. Clark agreed that County should be included.
Mr. Cornell made a motion to adjourn the meeting; seconded by Mr. McKee. The meeting adjourned at 8:20 am.