Minutes 05-27-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

On page 20-11, revenues are decreasing about $140,000 due to a 4.5% in the dental reimbursement rates and loss of revenue because of the eliminated positions. Commissioner Jacobs asked Health Director Rosemary Summers to respond to the Manager's email questions and she said that she would send those responses in writing. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 20-8 and said that the County Commissioners heard from a Board of Health member about the gross inadequacies in restaurant inspections and Rosemary Summers said that this year there was a vacancy in the department for an entire year. They are just now starting the recruitment process for this. How the rate comes up depends on how quickly the position can be hired. Commissioner Jacobs made reference to page 20-11 and asked why the septic tank manufacturer yard inspection was going from $100 to $200. Rosemary Summers said that the program was started about five years ago to make septic installations on-site more efficient. When the septic tank is put in, the in-ground stress testing does not have to be done before the hole is closed because of this. This saves the contractors time in the ground and also saves repeat visits out to the site. The septic yards pay the County for a staff inember coming out to certify. Commissioner Jacobs said that he thought that the County had decided in the past to provide primary care over and beyond what was required of them. He asked how much of the primary care that is being provided is optional. Rosemary Summers said that all of the primary care is optional. They provide primary care only to women and children and do not provide it to all adults. The clients must be registered health department patients already. Commissioner Hemminger asked about the delaying of the replacement of the dental clinic. Rosemary Summers said that this is not included in this budget. The department is using the cost settlement funds to pay for the renovation of the space. Also, the department is not buying any new equipment. Also, this past year they got a lot of funds for H1 N1 from the federal government. This money was used to replace some dental equipment. She said that she would rather cut equipment than people. Commissioner Pelissier asked about the service impact on pregnant women and newborns and Rosemary Summers said that they will be receiving fewer services. The reductions in the maternal care coordination and outreach program are a direct result of reductions in Medicaid reimbursement. This means that all of the social workers that take care of at-risk pregnant women have larger case loads and make fewer home visits. The prenatal clients have doubled at both clinics. This is not a primary care service, but it is a regular health department clinical service. The WIC program is the only federal program that has received increases in the allotment to serve women and children. Piedmont Health operates this program in all of their counties. Piedmont Health has free space at the Whitted Center to see those patients. Piedmont also provides breastfeeding support. Commissioner Jacobs asked about the funding for the school health nurses and Rosemary Summers said that the goal was to have a school nurse in every school in Orange County. She gave a brief history of this process. The Health Department's responsibility is to coordinate the school nursing function. They all report to the school system, all of the funding goes to the school systems, and there is a collaborative relationship, but there is no funding in the Health Department for school health. The Community Health Services Supervisor works with both systems to develop the school health policies and the Medical Director provides oversight for both programs. This arrangement has worked out well. • Library Services — Section 24 Frank Clifton said that there are two sections - the Library budget and contributions to other libraries.