HHS Finance Committee discusses purchasing practices

FINANCE COMMITTEE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF COOK COUNTY HEALTH AND HOSPITAL SYSTEMS

4/3/09

PUBLIC COMMENTS

Representatives of several minority vendors spoke to express concern about the policy of the Health and Hospitals to purchase goods and services from GPO (Group Purchasing Order). They felt that minority businesses were denied the ability to bid on contracts. These representatives also felt that the GPO would be more expensive to the Hospital system because it was eliminating competitive bids.

CONTRACTS AND PROCUREMENT APPROVALS

Leslie Duffy, Director of Procurement for Hospital and Health Systems, presented projects that were requiring bids and contracts. Much of this presentation involved a discussion of the need to have more minority companies involved in doing business with the county. The head of the Cook County Minority and Women Business office spoke and explained that their office should be involved in this process as soon as possible, so they can help facilitate the process to ensure compliance with meeting the County's minority standards. She explained they will help a majority business meet these standards. They may be eligible for minority credit, if, for example, they have used minority businesses to do work for them such as putting on a roof. A discussion ensued of whether minority businesses are able to become a member of the GPO. The Minority Business Office is hearing that this is not happening, even though one business went out of state to meet at the headquarters of one of the GPOs and offered to pay an $18,000 fee but was still denied inclusion.

CONTRACT WITH INTEGRATED CLINICAL SOLUTIONS

Will begin negotiating this contract

INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRANSFER BETWEEN STATE, COUNTY AND COOK COUNTY HEALTH SYSTEM

Discussion held about new way the hospital will be reimbursed for services. Some money now to come from the stimulus package, but it was brought up that the way this is set up this money to go directly to the Cook County and not to the Health Systems, so they have to now obtain this from them. Further discussion will need to go on with the Board downtown.

UPDATE ON 2009 BUDGET

The capital budget is to be reviewed line by line by the Cook County Board.