Dukes County Health Council
Thursday, May 1, 2003
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Tad Crawford at 7:36 a.m. on Thursday May 1, 2003.
Present were: Paddy Moore Kathy Logue
Cathy Brennan Michele Lazerow
Charles Silberstein Jane Cleare
Susan Desmarais Marni Lipke
Patsy McCornack Joyce Steward
Jacque Cage Kathleen Rose
Cynthia Mitchell Sarah Kuh
JoAnn Murphy Michael Dutton
Chris Knowles Frank Case
Tad Crawford Ilene Klein
Absent were: Lorna Andrade Ned Robinson – Lynch
Tim Walsh Philip Hickey
Robert Sawyer Beth Toomey
Nancy Gilfoy Dan Seklecki
Mary Jane O’Connor-Ropp Marguerite Bergstrom
Dan Greenberg Peter Strock
Melinda Loberg Freddie Rundlet
Sandra Lothrop
1. The next meeting was scheduled for May 22, 2003 [and subsequently rescheduled to May 29, 2003] at 7:30 a.m.
2. Kathy Logue presented the Treasurers report.
3. Primary Care Working Group – Ilene Klein outlined the work of the Primary Care Working Group (PCWG). Tad Crawford presented some added background. Chris Knowles made additional comments with respect to Health Shortage Area Designations and their ramifications.
4. Issues discussed-
a. The first PCWG meeting covered the hopes and agendas of the members of the Group.
b. There was a discussion of the different options and models for providing primary care, including Community Health Centers (CHC).
c. The Group has become very task oriented and intense both in it’s appraisal of options and it’s examination of how various models would fit into the existing system of health care on the Island.
d. The Group has looked at Community Health Centers, in particular, and discussed the legal and regulatory structure within which they operate.
e. The Lighthouse Health Alliance’s activities were also discussed, in particular their participation in the application to designate Martha’s Vineyard as a Medically Underserved Population (MUP). Note: A MUP is required to create and subsequently fund a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC).
5. The Health Council’s discussion then evolved into examining whether the DCHG wants to support the MUP application. There was a discussion of two different tracks that are currently being pursued in an effort to secure such a designation: first, the Lighthouse Alliance sponsored application and second, an effort undertaken by the Wampanoag Tribe to determine whether it’s FQHC-look alike has an implicit or explicit MUP associated with it.
6. Given the ramifications of any new approach to the delivery of Primary Care, the Hospital, Community Services, the Wampanoag Tribe working in partnership with Island physicians have retained a consultant to evaluate the options available, taking into account the findings of the MV Health Report.
7. Mr. Crawford asked the Council two questions:
a. What charge should the PCWG have from the Health Council in addressing Primary Care?
b. What limitations should there be with respect to the PCWG’s deliberations concerning any request for a delay in processing the MUP application?
8. After a lengthy discussion Dr. Silberstein made three motions:
a. First, he moved that the PCWG be formally recognized as a committee of the DCHC and ensure that a consumer representative participate as a member of the Group. The motion was seconded by several members and passed with no nays and Mr. Knowles abstaining.
b. Dr. Silberstein then moved that the PCWG be empowered to proceed with its work; make inquiries into the status of the MUP application, in consultation with Nantucket’s representatives on the Lighthouse Alliance Steering Committee; and make formal contact with Captain Jordan at HRSA to determine the consequences of requesting a delay in processing the application. The motion was seconded by several members and passed with no nays and Mr. Knowles abstaining.
c. Finally, Dr. Silberstein moved that the PCWG be empowered to request a 30-day administrative hold on the MUP application. As part of the motion the PCWG would not the authority to request that it be withdrawn. It was understood, at Cindy Mitchell’s request, that such an action should be taken with the unanimous consent of the PCWG, in consultation with Nantucket and with JSI participation. The motion was seconded by several members and passed with no nays and Mr. Knowles and Ms. Moore abstaining.
9. Building on the underlying principles that surfaced during this discussion, Tad Crawford distributed a proposed set of Guidelines for Effective Collaboration within the Council. Members were requested to provide comments to Paddy Moore. These guidelines will be e-mailed to all members.
10. Sarah Kuh discussed the status of the New York Ave. property. Move in day will be June 1, 2003.
11. Paddy Moore noted that the Spring Forum now is the Fall Forum and is scheduled for October 25, 2003. A “dry run” will be held the second week of September.
12. The meeting was adjourned at 9:25 a.m.
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