MINUTES OF THE
DUKES COUNTY HEALTH COUNCIL
Regular Meeting of May 24, 2001
I certify, that to the best of my ability to record and recall, these are the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Dukes County Health Council held on May 24, 2001.
Meeting called to order at 8:15 a.m. with no quorum present.
Members Present: *Ex Officio
Cynthia Mitchell, Chairman Les Holcomb
Murray Frank Katherine Colon
Carol Borer* Sarah Isenberg
Sarah Kuh * Eric Butler
Jacque Cage Dennis Hoak
Arthur Wortzel Ned Robinson-Lynch
Michele Lazerow Kathleen Rose
Sharon Clauss-Zanger Else Membreno
Tad Crawford
Also Present: Marsha Smolev, Joyce Stewart, Hy Hoffman, Charles Silberstein
Marcia Morgan
Absent:
Matt Poole
Elizabeth Norcross Karen Kukolich Sandra Lothrop*
Patty Begley Cathy Brennan
Maureen Kelly Tom Dresser Lorna Andrade
Kevin Burchill Kathy Logue Bud Macy Bob Sawyer Chris Knowles Jane Cleare
Fred Rundlet Marguerite Bergstrom*
Peter Strock
The meeting opened without a quorum at 8:15 AM. Sarah Kuh gave her report on the Access Program noting the problems she is having with phone service to her office. She voiced concern about funding from the Division of Medical Assistance that may be in jeopardy.
The Chronic Illness Committee expressed their interest in changing their name to the Chronic Illness Network. They are in the process of developing a Board.
Marcia Morgan, of Citizen’s Health, was introduced to present the Pharmacy Benefit Plan. She began by giving a history of Citizen’s Health. The group is looking for a short-term interim product to target seniors and address the disparities in prescription drug prices.
Michele Lazerow questioned the effect of Citizen’s Health’s use of a Pharmacy Benefit Manager on local independent pharmacies and wondered how to do something like this without putting local pharmacies out of business. Murray Frank said it was the Council’s responsibility to deal with this issue. Tad Crawford mentioned that he met with Les Leland, the Chairman of the County Commissioners, also an independent pharmacist. Tad Crawford believed Les Leland saw the Health Plan as a ‘non-starter.’ He added that the DCHC members are appointed by the County and said that ‘if the Health Council didn’t get the Chairman (of the County Commissioners) on board, we could be undermining a business of someone who appoints us.’
Cynthia Mitchell said the Coordinating Committee would arrange future meetings on the Pharmacy Benefit Plan.
Charlie Silberstein presented ideas about a Symposium being planned for this summer about a Martha’s Vineyard Community Health Initiative. He asked the Health Council’s collaborative support for this event. Discussion followed about timing of the event and the idea of collaborating at this point in the development of the plan. Les Holcolm stated his concern that it would not really be collaboration, since the Health Council just found out about the Symposium. However, he suggested that the Health Council could endorse it. Murray Frank agreed.
Cynthia Mitchell Moved that the Health Council enter into a collaborative with the Foundation for Island Health to cosponsor the August Symposium along the lines discussed. Michele Lazerow Seconded the Motion. The sense of the meeting was unanimous in support of the idea. Else Membreno, Michele Lazerow, Murray Frank, Sarah Isenberg and Arthur Wortzel will work on this event. Arthur Wortzel will Chair the subcommittee. Cynthia Mitchell will draft a one-page proposal on what the collaboration will include as goals.
Michele Lazerow asked to follow-up on a Task Force on Prevention.
Several committees were formed:
Prevention Committee – Chris Knowles, Kathy Rose, Else Membreno, Melanie Miller, Charles Silberstein, Michele Lazerow (Chair), Murray Frank, Arthur Wortzel, Dennis Hoak (or another primary care physician.)
Medical Interpreter Committee – Liz diCarlo, Sarah Kuh, Patty Begley, Sharon Clauss-Zanger, Maria Souza, Michele Lazerow.
Assessment of the Elderly – Jacque Cage (Liaison), the outreach workers, representatives of the four senior centers, a rep from the ICC and the hospital, Island Elderly case manager, Elderly housing reps.
Insurance Committee (Advisory to the Health Plan) – Kathy Logue, Jacque Cage, Les Holcolm.
Cynthia Mitchell updated the Council on the CAP grant. The Lighthouse has been “assured” 75% funding for year two.
Murray Frank mentioned that the Dental Clinic is closed but due to reopen. He is looked for state reimbursement for patients there. Members present voted to support Chairman Mitchell’s Motion giving her authorization to communicate with the Legislature to find a mini grant to support the Dental Clinic.
Chairman Mitchell reported that there would be a meeting of participants in the Healthy Communities Forum. Members of the Health Council will share what they learned through the Forum.
Tad Crawford presented the Treasurer’s Report. He asked that all expenses be submitted so they could be included on the last warrants of the fiscal year. The Budget was reviewed, including funds for the Island Plan, for Teresa Rodrigues’ salary, and cost increases. The Health Council assumed the County would contribute $70,000, but mentioned that the County did not seem committed to this contribution. The Health Council will meet with the County in advance of the Supplemental Budget to request the contribution. The Treasurer reported that if the County assumed the $70,000 contribution, it would be paying 30% of Health Council operations. Tad Crawford said that one third of the Access Program is supported by the County.
The meeting adjourned at 10:12 AM.
Respectfully submitted,
Marsha Smolev
Executive Assistant
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