MINUTES
NORTH CAROLINA ASSOCIATION OF LOCAL HEALTH DIRECTORS
Executive Committee Meeting
June 17, 1999
Wake Co. Public Health Center, Raleigh, NC
CALL TO ORDER -
President-elect Tom Bridges called the meeting to order at 9:00 am and called on Harold Gabel as the greeter for the meeting. Marion Duncan introduced a guest. Ruth Little was introduced as the new health director in Jones County. Bob Wood shared a joke. Harold Gabel asked about status of Health Directors directory. NCALHD Technology Committee will look into having Russell Jones scan into website. (See Attachments, Attendance Roster.)
APPROVAL OF MINUTES - Wayne Raynor presented the minutes of the May 19, 1999 Executive Committee Meeting. Minutes were approved as submitted.
TREASURERÕS REPORT - Wayne Raynor presented the TreasurerÕs Report which was approved as presented.
Announcements
- Dennis Harrington - only 13 counties late on expenditure reports and as of today weÕre down to five.
- President-elect Bridges thanked Deborah and Rick Rowe for hosting a Social at their home on June 16, 1999.
- George Bond and Bill Smith were elected to NACCHO board of directors.
- Danny Staley reported that a reception for retired health directors is being planned for September 14, 1999 in Asheville.
- Tom reported that a website is available for review of a model ordinance being developed for intensive livestock operations.
- Tom encouraged members to avail themselves to bioterroism training.
- The August meeting of NCALHD will be held in conjunction with NCACC on August 19, 1999. Members are encouraged to stay over until Saturday for the Health Director of the Year Award presentation.
- Barry Bass announced a meeting of the Executive Directors Feasibility Study group today at 3:00 pm. "We will be meeting with presiding officers of the Home Health Alliance, the Board of Health Association, NCPHA and NCALHD to look at how we might be able to do some administrative things together".
- Notice has been seen out about the Public Health Leadership Institute Scholars Program. Application deadline is August 10th. For more information, e-mail leadership.institute@sph.unc.edu or call Christie Vann at (919) 843-9262.
- October Legal Conference will have a registration fee of $75.00 and will be held October 19th through October 21st at the Friday Center in Chapel Hill.
COMMITTEE ACTION ITEMS
State & Local Relations
No Action Items.
Technology
Marc Kolman distributed a charter for a five member steering committee to guide the RFP process. Discussion ensued regarding the appropriateness of the chair being appointed by the Technology Committee Chair rather than the President of NCALHD. President-elect Bridges called for a vote. Support of the charter was approved.
Nominating & By-Laws
No Action Items.
Education & Awards
No Action Items.
Environmental Health
No Action Items.
Epidemiology
No Action Items.
Community Health/Dental
No Action Items.
Alliance for Public Health Agencies (NCAPHA)
No Action Items.
Hospital Association Network
No Action Items.
County Commissioners Association Network
No Action Items.
Managed Care & Reimbursement
Jim Baluss presented a proposed resolution "that the Local Health Directors Association requests that the Medicaid program continue to reimburse health departments at the per visit rate for dental care". (see attachment) Daphne Lyon commented on the proposal. Bruce Parsons recommended that the resolution include wording that any change would ensure, at worst, revenue neutrality. Barry Blick reinforced the idea. Several counties (Gaston, Catawba, Buncombe) are using ADA Codes which work well and provide revenue neutrality data when applied to 80% UCR etc.
George Bond made a motion to table the above motion for 30 days and refer back to Committee. Motion approved.
- Terri Snowden with Sedgwick James Medical Malpractice Insurance Company presented a report. Sedgwick can provide coverage for dentists in local health departments. Ms. Snowden distributed information on Sedgwick services. It is very important to be sure that jail health programs are covered. Renewals will be coming by Monday, July 21, 1999.
WomenÕs & ChildrenÕs Health
No Action Items.
Policy & Planning
Tom Bridges presented a motion that NCAHLD support front loading health at the same portion as front loading funds to tobacco growers and allotment holders. Deborah Rowe provided an overview of recent developments. Representative Martin Nesbitt (Buncombe) and David Redwine (Brunswick) have been very vocal and supportive of "front loading" health by 50%. The Senate is opposed to any front loading. Members are encouraged to call their legislators to thank them for supporting health and appointment of local health directors to the committee charged with dealing with the funds distribution issue on front loading. Motion approved.
COMMITTEE INFORMATION/REPORTS
- Education and Awards
- Curtis Holloman - GovernorÕs Task Force on Healthy Carolinians first meeting will be on July 21, 1999. Education and Awards Committee will work with Terri Snowden regarding risk management documentation. Please provide feedback regarding Legal Conference in October. Health Director of the Year nominations extended to June 30.
- Policy & Planning
- Healthy Carolinians funds are in jeopardy. Tom distributed information and encouraged members to contact legislators to support funding. We need to get our County Commissioners and others locally to support Healthy Carolinians funding.
- WomenÕs & ChildrenÕs Health
- Wanda Sandele - AFDC, Food stamps and receipt of other such services will not be held against those applying for citizenship. Health Choice is up to 56% statewide. Dental benefits under Health Choice is believed to be coming along and will likely be approved.
- Managed Care & Reimbursement
- Jim Baluss called on Dennis Harrington for update on CPT coding timeline and unbundling. The original target date to go operational was September 1, 1999, then moved to October 1, 1999, but may not happen. Dennis advised that not all services can be unbundled, i.e. MCC and CSC.
- Alliance for Public Health Agencies
- Dr. Latour provided an update on conducting physicals for the N. C. Division of Forestry Services. One hundred plus physicals have been done so far. Chris Szwagiel (Halifax) will take over as President of NCAPHA effective July 1, 1999.
- Community Health/Dental
- Dr. Duncan announced website on aging: WWW.DHHS.STATE.NC.US/AGING
- Kate B. Reynolds - three health departments received funding for diabetes.
- Epidemiology
- Dr. Kahn - next meeting will be on Monday, July 12, 1999 at 3 pm by conference call. Distributed announcement on Hepatitis C symposium to be held on Friday, August 20, 1999 in Winston-Salem.
- Environmental Health
- Mimi Cooper - see report
- Nominating and Bylaws
- Bill Smith announced his appointment to the NACCHO Board of Directors and thanked several members for letters of endorsement.
- State & Local Relations
- Tim Green distributed information regarding website address to check on progress of Mental Health reorganization.
- Dennis Harrington - September 14, 1999 there will be a Medicaid Fair. Dennis reminded members that FY2000 will be the last year of quarterly reporting. June 30, 1999 is the deadline for any budget revisions, send them directly to the Sections. Be sure to nominate Health Educators through SOPHE for Health Educator of the year.
LIAISONS & OTHER REPORTS
- Institute of Government
- Jill Moore distributed information regarding the provision of services to immigrants. (see attachment)
- Association of N. C. Boards of Health
- Carmine Rocco - Please respond to requests for local Board of Health member list updates. ANCBH is very supportive of Healthy Carolinians funding and will advocate on the Senate side of the issue. Currituck has joined PPCC and we now have 86 local health departments/districts instead of 87.
- Office of Public Health Nursing
- Joy Reed - ICD-9 Training is underway at state level and will provide training for Local Health Departments at some point.
Regional Representative Reports
- Bruce Parsons - REGION IV - provided information regarding lawsuits involving HIV partners failing to inform their sexual partners about their positive HIV status. Healthcare providers are encumbered from divulging important information to protect innocent partners. Issue was referred to Epidemiology Committee. Dr. Kahn expressed doubt that the Epi Committee could make recommendations that would be effective even when voted on by the NCALHD. Dr. Kahn invited those members with concerns about this issue to join the next Epi Committee Conference Call. Several members agreed to participate.
Meeting adjourned at 11:55 a.m.
Respectfully Submitted by,
A.Wayne Raynor
Secretary/Treasurer