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22 <br /> Travis Myren said for behavioral health purposes, Orange County is grouped in the <br /> Cardinal Innovations MCO region, which does not include Durham and Wake counties, which <br /> are with Alliance. He said it does include Mecklenburg County. <br /> Chair Rich said the Board received a letter from Cardinal earlier today, detailing some of <br /> the actions that Cardinal Innovations takes, which supply support for Orange County locally. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if this change is made, would Orange County be with <br /> Alliance, instead of Cardinal Innovations. <br /> Chair Rich said yes. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT: <br /> Trey Sutton, CEO Cardinal Innovations (CI), asked if the BOCC would consider the <br /> potential disruptions of this proposed change to members. He said he also questions the issues <br /> with the geography, as the CI provider network includes UNC, Duke, Wake Med, etc. He said <br /> historically Cl has had a strong relationship with Orange County, and last year Cl received <br /> capitation with care costs associated with members of$26 million, but spent $35.4 million. He <br /> said this is a loss, but CI is not a business, it is a mission-focused organization that has a <br /> commitment to this County. He said Cl also made several investments in community <br /> organizations, including Compass Center, El Futuro, YMCA, Special Olympics, etc. He said IC <br /> has as many employees in Orange County as it does in other counties, as well as an office. He <br /> said the stakes are of this decision are high for the organization and the County. <br /> Commissioner Greene asked him to relay how long he has been in charge, and the <br /> issues he has had to address. <br /> Trey Sutton said he joined Cardinal Innovations about 18 months, a month prior to the <br /> Department of Health and Human Services rating, which dissolved the Cl board, escorted <br /> executives out of the building, and put him into the interim CEO role. He said he was the CFO <br /> at the NC Department of Health and Human services prior to being at Cl. He said since taking <br /> the position, CI has reconstituted its board, implemented a corrective action plan, and began <br /> focusing on a strategic plan that contains 5 focus areas: <br /> • Members <br /> • Providers <br /> • Communities <br /> • Invest in CI employees <br /> • Tailored plan (integrated care for all members) <br /> Commissioner McKee referred to the $9 million deficit for Orange County, and said he <br /> would like to know the overall profit/loss balance sheet for last year. <br /> Trey Sutton said CI lost $30 million last year, and are on track to lose a little bit less this <br /> year. <br /> Commissioner McKee said this is surprising to him. He said he sat on the local Cl <br /> board several years ago, and found the corporate board difficult to work with. He said he is <br /> aware of families that are still struggling to get the necessary services with Cardinal. He said it <br /> was like pulling teeth to get Cl involved with Club Nova. <br /> Trey Sutton said he disagreed, and Club Nova spent a fair amount of time at CI board <br /> meetings. He said he has entertained all of Club Nova's requests, and Cl remains committed to <br /> the $500,000 it has promised to Club Nova. <br /> Commissioner Dorosin asked if Commissioner Price had any thoughts. <br /> Commissioner Price said Commissioner Bedford is the current BOCC representative, <br /> and also uses the services personally. <br /> Commissioner Price said she was on the board during the transition, and it is a night and <br /> day difference for the better. She said she understands about the geography issue, but the <br /> grass is not always greener, and many changes have to come from the state. <br />