Orange County NC Website
Commissioner Halkiotis said that years ago people used to call 911 to get an ambulance <br />just so they could get their blood pressure taken. He remembers when Rosemary <br />Summers first came on board and she was instrumental in getting the Kellogg Grant in <br />Efland. He said that these people couldn't advocate for themselves. He said that he <br />thinks that every school and public building should have a defibrillator in it and someone <br />trained to use it. He thinks that there are a lot of people in the County who are not <br />receiving proper medical and dental attention because they do not have insurance. <br />Rosemary Summers said that there are same free pharmacy programs that they will be <br />working with. The Billing Specialist will help people apply for these programs far <br />reduced cost of pharmaceuticals. <br />Commissioner Brawn said that the transportation issue always Games up. She asked if <br />they had discussed taking this service to other areas of the community to help with this <br />problem. She also asked if there were any thoughts of doing something on nights or <br />weekends to provide more access. She is also interested in understanding the linkages <br />to referrals to mental health and social services. <br />Tim Carey said that evening hours have been contemplated. There are some <br />infrastructure issues regarding different locations. Rosemary Summers said that they da <br />intend to have more screening events in community centers (i.e., blood pressure, <br />diabetes, etc.}. Regarding transportation, they are dealing with this now. Most of the <br />prevention services patients have made arrangements to get in. They have worked out <br />with maternity patients that a cab will take them to the hospital in an emergency for a flat <br />fee. She said that they also refer to DSS and Mental Health regularly. <br />Chair Jacobs said that it seems that the Board is in favor of this proposal. <br />Public Health Task Force 2004 Recommendations: <br />Commissioner Carey made reference to the task force recommendations. He said that <br />there would be several public hearings around the State regarding the <br />recommendations. He said that the County Commissioners' Association is urging <br />caution to go slow because some of the recommendations have cost implications for <br />counties. Many of the recommendations were already in the pipeline before the task <br />force was put together. There is still a lot more work that needs to be done. <br />Alan Rimer asked Commissioner Carey about the comments he has received. <br />Commissioner Carey said that mast of the comments are about inadequate funding. He <br />said that 40°~ of funding comes from the federal government, 40°~ from the local <br />government, and 20°~ from the State. The rules about what public health has to do <br />come from the State. He said that there is a lot of restructuring to do. <br />Rosemary Summers said that there is the thought that these recommendations are <br />going to be morphed into an adoptable bill during this legislative session. She said that <br />we should keep an eye on this. <br />Alice White asked about the estimates of what these things would cost and if this was on <br />target. Commissioner Carey said that some are good and some are not sa good. He <br />said that there is no real significant vision of how spending at the State level is going to <br />affect costs at the county level. <br />