DHFAC Meeting Minutes
October 9, 2001

In Attendance:

• Vincent Meconi, Chair
• Dennis Rochford
• Bethany Hall-Long
• Joseph DiPinto
• Joseph Lieberman
• Charles Reinhardt
• Anthony Alfieri

Welcome & Introductions

Secretary Meconi welcomed the committee and the public. He introduced Mary Kate McLaughlin, who replaced Deb Lightsey. Ms. McLaughlin will be staffing the committee.

Secretary Meconi also introduced Dr. Anthony Alfieri, a newly appointed member to the committee.

Approval of Minutes

The minutes from the May 15th, 2001 meeting were unanimously approved without amendment.

Budget Update

Mary Kate McLaughlin provided initial projected settlement amounts for 2003. Current estimates show that the State can expect to receive between $29 Million and $33 Million. The recommendation is that the committee plan based on the lower end of the range, ($29 Million) until a final payment amount is established, as volume adjustments, based on sales, will more than likely be negative.

Expenditures on current, FY2002 programs are not yet available, as programs just started pulling from those funds on July 1, 2001. Program expenditures will be reported at the next meeting to give committee members a base on which to determine FY2003 allocations and remaining funds.

Process for FY2003

Secretary Meconi discussed the process for making recommendations for FY2003 funding. Secretary Meconi expressed a desire to complete the process and make final recommendations to the Governor during December 2001. To do this, the committee would meet once in November to receive updates on on-going initiatives, schedule a public forum during November to get public input on current and new initiatives, and meet once in December to decide on final budget recommendations.

Committee members agreed to the proposed timeline and meeting schedule.

Update on HFAC Programs

Paula Roy provided an update on the Uninsured Action Plan and the Chronic Disease Diabetes pilot. The Community Health Access Program (CHAP), which has been in the planning stages for a year, went "live" on June 11th, 2001. The purpose of the program is to provide healthcare services to the uninsured through support and expansion of the existing "safety net system". Through the program, Community Care Coordinators have seen approximately 420 individuals, and linked those eligible to appropriate programs.

Gina Perez provided an update on the Delaware Prescription Assistance Program (DPAP). Approximately 300 applications are received every month, and there are currently 4,300 individuals enrolled in the program. Costs per member average $81.48 per month.

Public Comment

Members of the public gave the following input:

• Consider prescriptive duration limits as a way of saving money in DPAP.
• Regarding CHAP, a question was raised as to whether or not the State has applied for a waiver to use CHIP? Paula Roy stated that that was an option that might be considered.
• Committee needs to consider the importance of accessibility to services, specifically in Sussex County. Accessibility to and cost prohibitive nature of transportation should be considered as a component to all programs.