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MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br /> May 22, 2024 <br /> Dr. Lee Pickett <br /> Dr. Pickett asked if there will be time during the meeting to discuss the recent NC bill <br /> prohibiting masking in public spaces, as she has concerns; Ms. Stewart confirmed that she <br /> included an update on this bill in her Health Director's report and the board can discuss it then. <br /> Dr. Rachel Royce <br /> Dr. Royce gave an update on the status of Medicaid Expansion enrollment, sharing that <br /> 60% of Orange County enrollees enrolled in the first month and likely most of these enrollees <br /> were automatically rolled over from partial coverage Medicaid plans into full coverage. She <br /> added that enrollment growth has been slowing down each month, and Dr. Jonnal observed that <br /> the state's enrollment numbers also appear to be slowing down. Dr. Royce provided board <br /> members with a datasheet summarizing current month-to-month Medicaid Expansion <br /> enrollment trends. <br /> Dr. Brian Crandell <br /> Dr. Crandell commented on the adjudication hearing, which was held on May 13'", saying <br /> that it was an interesting experience with lots of thoughtful discussion. He observed that it <br /> seemed to take the board a little while to work out what they could specifically do within the <br /> scope of the hearing. Dr. Crandell also shared that he was the dissenting vote in the 5-1 ruling <br /> and that he voted in favor of the appellant not because he felt that Environmental Health did <br /> anything wrong or that there was a question of how much distance should be permitted from a <br /> termite-treated structure to a well, but because he believes more than one thing can be true and <br /> that the wording as written in the regulations had enough room for interpretation that he felt <br /> there was validity in their appeal. <br /> Dr. Aparna Jonnal <br /> Dr. Jonnal also commented on the recent hearing, adding that she felt the experience was <br /> extremely educational and that she had been surprised by the difficulty of deciding the case. <br /> She added that she was very impressed with the board members involved in the hearing and <br /> took a moment to specifically thank Mr. Whitaker for his grace and guidance. <br /> Keith Bagby <br /> Mr. Bagby shared a short video presentation from the recent Orange Partnership event, <br /> Take Down Tobacco Day, which was held at A.L. Stanback Middle School on April 12, 2024. <br /> IV. Priority Committee Updates <br /> The new Behavioral Health Committee met on May 6, 2024. Dr. Nickelson provided an update, <br /> explaining that the committee touched on many topics and isn't sure yet what to hone in on. <br /> Some of the topics that the committee discussed include suicide and Mental Health First Aid, <br /> screentime and its impact on mental health, loneliness and social connectedness, lack of mental <br /> health clinicians, and the lack of diversity in mental health clinicians. In terms of equity/justice, <br /> the committee is looking into the demographics of those affected by suicide in Orange County, <br /> discussed ways to ensure that Mental Health First Aid trainings are provided to people from <br /> diverse walks of life (e.g., Meals on Wheels volunteers, barbers, faith leaders) to increase the <br /> S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agendas &Abstracts\2024 Agenda and Abstracts/ <br /> May Page 2 <br />