Health Committee
September 12, 2007 - 7:30 am
DRAFT MINUTES
Members: Sean Clark, Chairman; Sandy Price, Vice Chairman; Larry Cornell, Mike McKee, Carol Tytler, Ron Van Dee and Tom Williams
Others Present: Scott Schrader, County Administrator; Katrina Spicer, Secretary to County Administration; Jackie Gailor, Director of Public Health; Michael Kilmer, Director of Administrative Services, Mental Health Department; Corey Preston, Cortland Standard; and Eric Mulvihill, WXHC
Mr. Clark called the meeting to order at 7:31 a.m.
Ms. Price moved adoption of the minutes of the August 8, 2007 meeting; seconded by Mr. Cornell. All members voting in favor; none opposed; minutes approved as printed.
SUGGESTED LEGISLATIVE REVIEW:
**The following items have been noted as items for suggested Legislative Review by the Chairman of the Health Committee. These items are also noted with ** and in bold print.
·
Authorize Agreement, Health Department/Hospice (Program Services)
·
Authorize
Agreement, Health Department/Hospice (Auditor)
·
Authorize
Agreement, Authorize Agreement with Locum Tenans, Temporary Psychiatry
RESOLUTIONS:
HEALTH DEPARTMENT
1.
Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds, Health Department/Children With Special
Needs (CSHCN NYS Grant) – Ms. Price moved
adoption; seconded by Mr. McKee. Ms.
Gailor explained that this is an annual grant that is already in the budget
and has been on-going. Additionally,
she stated that it covers mostly salaries.
Mr. Cornell inquired if the amount of the grant had changed.
Ms. Gailor expressed that the amount is the same.
Ms. Tytler inquired about staffing for the program.
Ms. Gailor expressed that the staffing is good for this program.
All members present
voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
2.
Authorize Agreement/Accept Funds, Health Department/Children With Special
Needs (EIP NYS Grant) – Mr. Cornell moved
adoption; seconded by Ms. Tytler. Ms.
Gailor explained that this is for an annual Early Intervention grant and the
amount of the grant have not changed in many years.
She added that this grant covers administrative costs.
All members present
voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
3.
Authorize Agreements, Health Department/Nursing (Division of Nursing
Insurance and Managed Care Companies) – Mr. McKee
moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Price.
Ms. Gailor explained that this is for patient specific agreements with
insurance companies that do not have many patients in the County and the
patient is trying to access services from the County.
She added that the insurance company is contacted to negotiate a
patient specific agreement. Ms.
Gailor further explained that usually 100% payment is received.
She discussed problems with not receiving the payment when patients are
billed instead of the insurance companies.
She further explained that this is to allow the County to enter an
agreement for a specific amount for services to be provided.
She further explained that the department has been advised by the
auditor not to go below the Medicare rate and they follow that advise. All members
present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
4.
**Authorize Agreement, Health Department/Hospice (Program Services)
– Ms. Tytler moved adoption;
seconded by Mr. Cornell. Ms.
Gailor explained that this is for program services beginning January 1, 2008
and is for a two-year period. Committee
members discussed future Legislation and also discussed the need for not
holding up services for individuals. Ms.
Tytler stated that she was in agreement with this as long as the County
Administrator and the County Attorney were. Ms. Price expressed the need to keep the wheels of government
moving. All members
present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
5. **Authorize Agreement, Health Department/Hospice (Auditor) – Mr. Cornell moved adoption; seconded by Ms. Tytler. Ms. Gailor briefly explained that this is a one-year agreement with the auditor with knowledge and background in doing hospice cost reports. Ms. Tytler inquired about the specific skills for auditing the Hospice environment and inquired if the County Auditor was a CPA. Ms. Schrader explained that the County Auditor was not a CPA and added this needs an auditor specifically for Hospice. Mr. Clark stated that the requirements state that an outside auditor is to do this audit. Mr. Clark, Ms. Price, Mr. Cornell, Mr. McKee, Ms. Tytler and Mr. Van Dee voted in favor; Mr. Williams was opposed; resolution approved.
MENTAL HEALTH
6.
** Authorize Agreement, Authorize Agreement with Locum Tenans, Temporary
Psychiatry –Ms. Price moved adoption; seconded by Mr. McKee.
Mr. Kilmer explained to the Committee the dire need for a Psychiatrist
in the Mental Health Clinic. He
explained that a few months ago the Legislature passed a resolution approving
an agreement with Locum Tenans for assistance in hiring a permanent
Psychiatrist. He explained that
this resolution is for hiring a temporary Psychiatrist.
Mr. Kilmer again stressed the need for a Psychiatrist and stated that
he understands a temporary psychiatrist costs more than a permanent
psychiatrist but there is a desperate need for the position to be filled.
Mr. Kilmer added that he is ready to go to OMH and ask for a waiver to
have a MD sign off on treatment plans. Mr.
Williams inquired about the enthusiasm of Locum Tenans to continue to assist
the County in finding a permanent psychiatrist if the have this contract
regarding a temporary psychiatrist. Mr.
Kilmer discussed the likelihood of a temporary psychiatrist turning into a
permanent psychiatrist. Mr.
Williams further questioned Locum Tenans efforts towards filling the permanent
position. Ms. Tytler discussed
her experience with this type of company and position and stated she has not
experienced a problem and has had success.
She agreed that it is costly but added there is a great need for this
position being filled. Mr. McKee
inquired about the Nurse Practitioner having any problems in regards to
collaboration with a temporary placement.
Mr. Kilmer expressed that he does not see a problem.
Mr. Kilmer also discussed the possibility of Dr. Watros, who has
tendered her resignation, continuing to assist in collaboration with the Nurse
Practitioner. Ms. Tytler
explained that there has been a small problem, which is being resolved, in
regards to the labels and packets of information being mailed out.
She discussed the packet of information being ready and hopes to have
them out by the end of the week. Ms.
Price expressed that she hopes that this company is professional and can act
in a professional manner. She
explained that the County has no other choice and the services are needed.
Mr. Clark expressed that he hopes that the temporary does yield a
permanent. All members present voting in favor; none opposed; resolution approved.
DISCUSSION:
1. Suit-Kote Expansion, Audrey Lewis (follow up information from August 8, 2007 Health Committee Meeting) – Ms. Gailor explained that Ms. Lewis was not in attendance for this. Mr. Clark expressed that New York State and the DEC have visited the two sites recently. He added that they are doing everything they can do legally. Ms. Gailor further explained that requests, not demands, have been made of Suit-Kote to make some changes and Suit-Kote has voluntarily done so. Ms. Price requested that Ms. Lewis provide Legislators with a written report updating the Legislature on this issue.
2.
** Horizon House Certification – Mr. Kilmer explained that the
items that could be fixed have been and added that there is little that can be
done in regards to the building itself. Ms.
Tytler explained that the Ad Hoc Committee has finished up work in regards to
Department of Motor Vehicles and will be passing that information on to the
General Services Committee. She
added that she believes the next step for the Ad Hoc Committee will be looking
into Horizon House.
Ms. Price explained that last month a resolution was
passed in regards to Cancer Screening, specifically Mammography.
She added that she was approached as to how an individual can go about
obtaining this screening if they do not have the funds to cover the cost
themselves. Ms. Gailor explained
that referrals are usually made when an individual calls to set up an
appointment and are asked about insurance. She added that a person could also call the Health Department
for information. Ms. Price
thanked Ms. Gailor for the information.
Mr. Cornell made a motion to adjourn the meeting, all members present voting favor, none opposed. Mr. Clark adjourned the meeting at 7:56 a.m.