Approved Minutes of August 27, 2025

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MINUTES ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH August 27, 2025 S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agendas & Abstracts\2025 Agenda and Abstracts/ August Page 10 providers beginning on October 1st, 2025, reducing the rate the Health Department receives in reimbursement from 10% to 8%. Ms. Stewart clarified that this will not change anything about staff or clinician operations, the Health Department will simply receive less reimbursement for services provided to individuals with Medicaid. She added that, as the Health Department receives annual Medicaid cost settlement, the change in reimbursement may still even out. In response to Dr. Royce’s question, Dr. Stuebe and Commissioner Fowler explained that private practice providers do not receive Medicaid cost settlement, and will simply receive less money, likely leading to caps on the number of Medicaid patients that they are willing to see to minimize the loss. • Regarding Dr. Royce’s question about potential cuts to Medicaid expansion due to reductions in Federal funding, Ms. Stewart said she would review and get back to her. • There have been reductions in service rates and pre-paid health plans, and the re- procurement of Care Management Programs such as CMARC is being pushed out until 2029 due to the cuts. • DHHS has ended optional coverage of weight-loss medications such as Ozempic except with certain existing conditions such as a heart condition or diabetes. • NC wastewater monitoring shows an increase in respiratory viruses, including COVID, among the community with a moderate level statewide. • The Whitted Human Services Building has experienced a lot of expected and unexpected disruptions, including renovations, a power outage, and issues with the HVAC system. Due to renovations at Southern Human Services Center, currently only the Whitted medical clinic is active, and the mobile dental unit is the only dental clinic currently active. Ms. Stewart added that having only one clinic is a blessing in disguise, as they are rebuilding staff after several significant clinic resignations. • Dr. Stuebe suggested that the Board members could all get their flu shots together to promote vaccine uptake. Dr. Royce recommended inviting the News of Orange to cover it. Dr. Stuebe also suggested a future volunteer event with Habitat for Humanity to promote affordable housing. Ms. Stewart noted that at the recent Opioid Summit, Commissioner Green shared that the presence of a quorum at a community event is less of an issue so long as board members remain separated and do not interact. • In response to Dr. Royce, Ms. Stewart shared that the Board of Health will be attending the Last Friday event on September 26th to promote Suicide Awareness Month. X. Adjournment A motion was made by Commissioner Amy Fowler to adjourn the meeting at 9:17 p.m., was seconded by Dr. Lee Pickett, and carried without dissent. The next Board of Health Meeting will be held September 24, 2025, at the Southern Human Services Center, 2501 Homestead Road, Chapel Hill, NC at 7:00 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Quintana Stewart, MPA Orange County Health Director Secretary to the Board