DHFAC Meeting Minutes
November 14, 2001
In Attendance:
- Vince Meconi Chair
- Dennis Rochford
- David McBride
- Patti Blevins
- Bethany Hall-Long
- Charles Reinhardt
- Joseph Lieberman
- Anthony Alfieri
Secretary Meconi welcomed the committee, guests and members of the public.
Minutes
Minutes from the October 9th meeting were unanimously approved.
Budget Update
Mary Kate McLaughlin provided an update on the projected settlement, which is expected to be $29.6 Million for FY2003.
Program Updates
Bill Stevenson provided an update on the Public Access Defibrillation Program. The program will be purchasing 140 additional units in December. 102 will be put in High School, and 38 will be placed in restaurants, public facilities and assisted living facilities. Parameters for business and public site selection were identified based on the national PAD study. The division is contracting with AHA and ARC to provide training. Mr. Stevenson reported that the program request for next year would be $141,400. In response to committee members' questions, Mr. Stevenson reported that real numbers should be available in approximately six months which will show how many have been helped by the defibrillators.
Paul Silverman provided an update on the Division of Public Health's Tobacco Prevention and Control programs.
Dr. James Gill provided an update of the initial research and analysis of Lesser-Known Illnesses. Based on the study, Dr. Gill recommended that the committee focus on two specific illnesses: Heliac and Hemochromatosis. Dr. Gill also stressed Lyme disease as an area that the committee may want to consider for future initiatives.
Renata Henry provided an update on the Transitional Housing Program. To date, there were no bidders for the contract. The division will explore alternate uses of the funds for transitional housing purposes. Ms. Henry also provided an update on the Heroin residential program. Services are being provided as planned.
Phil Soule updated the committee on DSS programs, including the Medicaid Increase for Pregnant Women, which has served 181 individuals since November, 2000. Mr. Soule also reported that the division would begin phasing in the Attendant Care program, scheduled to begin January 15th, 2002.
Committee members requested that the Department of Education and the Department of Public Safety provide written updates of their programs as they were not present to speak.
Public Forum and Recommendation Process
Mary Kate McLaughlin described the public notification process and details of the Public Forum, scheduled for November 27th, 2001.
Committee members provided preliminary recommendations regarding 2003 funds:
Secretary Meconi stressed the importance of building and maintaining the strategic reserve, noting that DPAP will need to be actuarially funded in future years.
Dr. Lieberman agreed that the strategic reserve needs to be enhanced rather than eroded. Dr. Lieberman also stated that DPAP may need to be refined as the committee looks to future funding of the program.
Dennis Rochford suggested that the numbers be refreshed in terms of DPAP, based on the report that was produced a few years ago. Mary Kate McLaughlin will look into the report and work to update it for the committee meeting on December 7th.
Senator McBride stressed that the committee considers increased funding of HB30/Attendant Care. Sen. McBride also discussed the possibility of a new initiative on Senate Bill 99 (Smoke Free Restaurants).
Public Comment:
Joanne Hassey, Citizen, expressed that the counseling of pharmacists in smoking cessation should be coupled with making them aware of tobacco marketing within their own stores/pharmacies. Ms. Hassey also stated that there is a need for basic education and positive promotion throughout the state on how the tobacco funds are being spent. She suggested that media ads and campaigns more prominently identify that tobacco funds are sponsoring them, and that DHSS make an effort to show how the funds are being spent. In addition, Ms. Hassey expressed support, based on her personal experience, for Dr. Gill's observation of the problems with the diagnosis of Lyme's Disease.
Denis McMullen-Powell, ADAPT, expressed concern over the 56% increase in nursing home beds in the State from 1992-2000, and stated that the increase further supported the need for continued funding of HB30/Attendant Care. Ms. Powell recommended that the committee consider using a portion of the $4 Million that will not be used for improvements to Long-Term Care facilities in the future as a source of continued funding for HB30.
Leonard Young, Children Delaware, recommended that the committee provide an overall report on tobacco-funded programs and services.
