Minutes - 19770215 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

88 He added that proposals, such as this one for emergency care facilities have guidelines which have been set forth by the State. Commissicner Gustaveson oalled for the question. The Chairman called for the vote and all members of the Board voted aye. The motion was declared passed. Item 11: Chairman Whitted will report to the Board the results of his meeting with the Chairmen from Caswell, Person, Lee and Chatham Counties to discuss Orange County's concerns about public health services rendered by the District Department. Chairman Whitted stated that he had met with the four Chairmen on February 10, 1977. At the meeting, the group reviewed certain points in -- the letter previously submitted, listing the concerns of the Orange County Board. He stated that the reaction from different members of the group were mixed. Problem A: concerning the reerganization of the District Health Board received mixed feelings. Caswell County is in tune to the problems as cited by Orange County and is willing to work out some equit- able solution. Chatham, Lee and Person Counties did not like the idea of Orange County having six representatives to the District Health Board and would not go along with this recommendation. The Counties favored a 3-3-3-3-3 representation. The Chairmen were more in agreement with the concept that the Director should be hired to head the Department, but there was a disagreement of whether the Administrator should be an Adminis- trator VI as opposed to a II or IxI. The feelings were that the Medical irector would have complete responsibility. All Chairmen realized that additienal appropriation would be necessary. Mr. Whitted stated that he left the meeting with the opinion that there were still big differences to be resolved. Commissioner Walker stated that the pistrict Board was confused in that Orange County was saying there are no blacks or women representatives on the District Board and Orange County has no blacks or women representa- tives. "They are confused by the things we say and then the action we take." Chairman Whitted stated that over the years, Mr. Walker had been this Board's representative and that Mr. Walker appointed the two additional members for the County. He added that since the General Statutes were changed in 1973, this year was the first opportunity the Commissioners had to make an appointment. Commissioner Gustaveson suggested that Orange County go ahead and move as originally indicated if matters were not resolved, and at the same time make sure that the Board is open to a district arrangement with other counties. He urged the Board to make a decision very soon. Commissioner Willhoit stated that from discussion, he gathered that what needed to be resolved on Wednesday night was (1) the form of administ- rated leadership and (2) the reorganization of the District Board. Chairman Whitted stated that he did not feel the Boards of Commissioners from the four other counties had responded in the manner as anticipated. The Orange Ccunty Commissioners agreed to meet on Wednesday night at 9:30 p.m., after the District Board's meeting, to make a decision of whether to remain in the District or to withdraw from the District. Item 8: Further comments by the County Attorney concerning the extent of services that may be delivered by a County Health Department. Jeffrey Gledhill, the County Attorney, stated that he was still col- lecting information on this subject. Apparently, there are legal impedi- ments to providing care, as long as it is public health to the general public. He stated that some severe limitations involved are: (1) avail- ability of monies for providing treatment and (2) cooperation of local medical societies as to the extend of service you can provide in local health departments. He stated that there was Title 19 monies available through the Social Security Act, which allows reimbursement to local health departments for treatment of certain Medicain eligible persons. Some specific programs are: Hypertensions, with diagnosis and treat' ment programs, Children and Youth Project, which provides for treatment