MINUTES OF THE
DUKES COUNTY HEALTH COUNCIL
Regular Board Meeting of March 23, 2000
I certify, that to the best of my ability to record and recall, these are the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of the Board of Directors of the Dukes County Health Council held on March 23, 2000.
Meeting called to order at 8:08 a.m.
Board Members Present:
Cynthia Mitchell, Chairman Juleann VanBelle
Arthur Wortzel Sharon Clauss Zanger
Christopher Knowles Elizabeth Norcross Bud Macy Robert Sawyer
Peter Strock Steve Bernier
Kate O’Neil Sherrill Butterfield
Cathy Brennan Sarah Isenberg
Sarah Kuh Lorna Andrade
Katherine Colon Murray Frank
Jane Cleare Kevin Burchill
Kathy Logue Ned Robinson-Lynch
Sandra Lothrop Les Holcomb
Dennis Hoak
Carol Borer, County Manager, Ex Officio member
Marsha Smolev, Executive Assistant
Arthur Wortzel Moved that the Minutes of February 24, 2000 be accepted as written. Steve Bernier Seconded the Motion. The term “alternative” on page 2 paragraph 1 was amended to read, “natural therapeutics.” The Minutes were then accepted.
Treasurer Steve Bernier requested that his report be delayed until the next meeting. It was agreed that it would be good to wait for a complete assessment so strategy for the next 6 months could be discussed.
There was discussion about scheduling. The Annual Meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m., on April 25 (place to be announced.) The next Regular Meeting will be on April 27, at 8 a.m.
Juleann VanBelle reported on the Coordinating Committee’s process of nomination and selection of Council Members. (See attached list.) Some Council members switched positions. There were more applicants than slots, and chairs of
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March 23, 2000
subcommittees were asked to contact applicants who were not chosen for membership, to serve on subcommittees. Juleann VanBelle mentioned that the bylaws call for 6 practitioners, while 7 have been chosen. She believes the bylaws should be flexible, but realizes they may have to be amended to say 6 – 8 practitioners. Cynthia Mitchell stated that 4 physicians had applied for membership, a real milestone for the Council.
Cynthia Mitchell explained the procedure for electing the Coordinating Committee. Once the appointees are approved by the County Commissioners, the members of the Council will elect the 5 members who have been nominated, by mailed in ballots. The officers, traditionally members of the Coordinating Committee, will then be elected.
There was an update on the Federal CAP Grant. Ned Robinson-Lynch explained that the Grant process is extremely competitive and that it has been strongly suggested that our application be regional. Cynthia Mitchell reported on the meeting of March 22, in which several members discussed uses of the Grant money that will focus predominantly on infrastructure. The main areas of importance seem to be:
Health Insurance Plan – John Snow, Inc.
Free dental care
Expanded primary care
Computerized information system
Specific health services
Preventative efforts
Discussion about direct services vs. infrastructure followed. County Manager, Carol Borer, asked that the committee members and others be included in finalizing the Grant application. Chris Knowles explained that while the Vineyard has many services, they are not delivered in a coherent way. Sarah Kuh, Kathy Logue, and Sandra Lothrup expressed concern about confidentiality with respect to a computerized database for healthcare. Sherrill Butterfield said shared data is already being used successfully in the nursing home. Ned Robinson-Lynch and Kevin Burchill reiterated that the focus of this particular Grant is infrastructure. Dennis Hoak will ask other doctors to participate with the Grant application.
Cynthia Mitchell reported on the presentation of Nantucket Health by Cheryl Bartlett. The program focuses on an RFP process that seeks proposals by providers to fill unmet needs of the Island. After proposals are submitted, they are evaluated and money is awarded. Quarterly reports are submitted. There is $465,000 for Healthcare on Nantucket this year. Kathy Logue reminded the Board that Cheryl Bartlett said it’s important to build into a program, concrete accountability. Ned Robinson-Lynch said appropriation on Nantucket is based on their Human Conditions Study.
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March 23, 2000
Carol Borer cautioned that the Vineyard has not yet identified unmet needs. Nantucket has. We need to make that study a priority for the Health Council.
Cynthia Mitchell said the JSI Study included much more data than just the information about the uninsured and underinsured. Cynthia Mitchell also reported that Nancy Turnbull met with employers to discuss insurance. It appeared that small employers would be willing to change to a local insurance plan if they could be convinced of its stability long term. The focus group method of study appears to be an interesting one.
The Lillian Glickman meeting will be rescheduled. The Data and Funding Subcommittee reported that the James Cahan permanent endowment fund gave the Health Council $5000.
There was discussion about the need to keep Sarah Kuh’s office open full time. Murray Frank volunteered some hours there, as did Lorna Andrade, Arthur Wortzel, Robert Sawyer, and Sharon Clauss-Zanger. Ned Robinson-Lynch asked County officials to budget to keep the office open. Carol Borer and Cynthia Mitchell said they are already working on doing so. Steve Bernier suggested that perhaps as Treasurer, he could take on some of Sarah Kuh’s bookkeeping.
Katherine Colon reported that the newsletter will be out before the Annual Meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 10:10 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Marsha Smolev
Executive Assistant
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