Monday, October 4, 2010
CC Health & Hospitals System Board Meeting Sept. 30, 2010
7:30 am, Stroger Hospital 5th floor conference room
The Finance Committee Minutes noted a projected shortfall in revenue partly due to delays in State of Illinois payments for Medicaid patients. Illinois' proposed move to an HMO model for Medicaid reimbursement threatens to undermine a previously established "special" relationship that the County had enjoyed.
HHS also has an issue with the Cook County Board regarding an across-the-board reduction in appropriations that does not recognize the revenues generated by HHS. They seek a reduction in subsidy rather than in total appropriations. A communiqué from the Office of the County Board's President identifies an 11% reduction. HHS questions whether dialog should be with the President or the Board of Commissioners who established HHS.
CCHHS Financial Statements and Audit Management Letter were discussed. The latter identified errors but shows improvement.
The HHS Budget for 2011 will go to the Finance Committee for discussion.
The Board Education presentation was devoted to National Healthcare Reform. Many questions remain unanswered, e.g., about Exchanges, Waivers, Partnerships. Rules are in process.
Implementation of the HHS Strategic Plan will be discussed at the October meeting with timetables for various stages. Meanwhile, necessary steps are underway for Certificate of Need (ON) approval for the closure of in-patient beds at Oak Forest Hospital and the suspension of Obstetrics at Provident Hospital as of October.
Discussion with University of Chicago regarding Provident Hospital continues.
Work-force rebalancing and staff reductions of 400 FTEs are underway. Unions have been notified.
Several management initiatives are underway. One addresses long wait lines at Fantus Clinic. The Website is being redesigned to be more consumer friendly. The General Medical Clinic has implemented changes in its internal reporting structure that has improved outcomes regarding access and patient satisfaction.
The meeting adjourned at 9:30 am.
--Submitted by Nancy Staunton, Observer
