DHFAC Meeting Minutes
November 2, 1999
Attendees:
- Patricia Blevins
- Deborah Capano
- Joseph DiPinto
- Thomas Grabowski
- Charles Reinhardt
- Charles Simpson
- Gregg C. Sylvester
Not attending:
- Joseph Lieberman
- Vivian Longo
- David McBride
- Dennis Rochford
- Calvin Wilson
Welcome and Introductions
Gregg Sylvester welcomed the participants and the committee introduced themselves.
Review and Approval of Minutes and Agenda
The minutes were approved after correction. "David McBride and Joseph DiPinto urged the committee to take the initiative in activities related to fund management. The suggestion was made to hold a workshop to advise committee members of management options.
Updates on Tobacco Related Issues
Deb Lightsey noted that the NGA is expecting some tobacco funds to be released before the end of the year. A question was raised which state, California or Virginia would bring the total percentage settling states to 80%. HFAC staff will follow up.
Deb Lightsey noted that the Youth Tobacco Survey needs to be completed, as it is a requirement to receive funds from The American Legacy Foundation. The University of Delaware is coordinating and combining this survey with another. Joseph DiPinto would like to see the protocol for the survey. Paul Silverman will provide the survey at the next meeting. Steve Martin, University of Delaware, will be invited speak at the next meeting.
There was a discussion about the American Legacy Foundation and the "Kick Butts" campaign. Deb Brown noted that there is a youth conference on 12/4 and 12/5 at the University of Delaware, Clayton Hall. This conference is sponsored through the State of Delaware and Tobacco Free Delaware.
HFAC Recommendations: Principles, Purposes and Priorities and Establish priorities for Public Hearings
The following principles were discussed:
- Used to make citizens healthier
- Directed towards funding initiatives that are "flexible"/can be easily adjusted
- Used for future citizens with a portion set aside for the future
- Used for established ideas/programs, instead of creating new ones
- Focused on initiatives that do not require us to grow "bigger" government
The committee agreed to adopt on "guidance principle," but requested that the 4th principle (above) include the option of creating new programs. This will be changed to read:
"Focus on established ideas/programs, leaving open the option to create new ones."
A motion was made and passed to accept the principles with a change in the fourth principle.
There was a discussion of the Delaware Health Fund Purposes (Senate Bill 8):
- Expanding access to health care and health insurance for citizens of Delaware that lack affordable health care due to being uninsured or under insured;
- Making long-term investments to enhance health care infrastructure which meets a public purpose;
- Promoting health lifestyles, including the prevention and cessation of the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs by the citizens of Delaware;
- Promoting preventive care for Delawareans in order to detect and avoid adverse health conditions, particularly cancer and other tobacco-related diseases;
- Working with the medical community by providing funding for innovative and/or cost effective testing regiments to detect and identify lessor-known but devastating and costly illnesses, such as sarcoidosis and hemachromatosis, fibromyalgia, lupus, lyme disease and chronic fatigue immune deficiency syndrome;
- Promoting a payment assistance program for prescription drugs to Delaware's low income senior and disabled citizens who are ineligible for, or do not have, prescription drug benefits or coverage through federal, state or private sources;
- Promoting a payment assistance program for Delaware's citizens who suffer from debilitating chronic illnesses, such as diabetes and kidney disease which are characterized by recurring costs for equipment, tests, and therapy; and/or
- Such other expenditures as are deemed necessary in the best interest of the citizens of Delaware provided they shall be made for health related purposes.
Patricia Blevins suggested that prioritization wait until after the Public Hearing but that research can begin.
Gregg Sylvester reminded the committee that the Health Care Commission is the agency designated to provide research and information to the HFAC. The Committee identified research needs related to each purpose and asked the HCC to coordinate with the appropriate state and non-profit agencies to provide program policy options and costs to the committee. Specific research issues suggestions made by committee members include kidney disease, transplants, AIDS, Alzheimer's disease, asthma and emphysema. Finally, Tom Grabowski suggested that whatever the committee does, it should affect most citizens of Delaware.
Public Hearings
There was a discussion about the location, time, and ground rules of the public hearings. It was decided that the hearings should occur in Kent and Sussex Counties on November 29 and New Castle County on November 30. A notice of the hearings should be put on the DHSS Website. All efforts are to be made to notify interested organizations and lists should be provided to Stephanie McClellan as DHFAC, DHSS Project Coordinator. Tom Grabowski specifically will bring of list of people to contact from the Chamber of Commerce, Small Business Alliance.
Report to Governor and General Assembly
Gregg Sylvester reminded the committee that the committee's report to the Governor is due 11/15. It was decided to include in the report where the money is currently, the Committee's activity to date, public hearings information and the preliminary recommendation to fund the "Pill Bill." The first draft of the report should be done by the end of this week and will be reviewed by the committee.
Fund Management
It was decided that a workshop on fund management would be scheduled. Stephanie McClellan and Paula Roy will set up this workshop.
Public Comment
Gilbert Sloan, Advance Medical Technology noted that medical technologies can aid in the early detection of disease and requested that the committee fund projects related to this, as outlined in the fifth purpose of SB8.
Ginny Lanczkowski, H.E.R.O.I.N Hurts, Inc. commented on the need for money to be used for alcohol and substance abuse prevention and treatment.
Next Meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for November 16, the location to be announced.
Meeting was adjourned.
