DHFAC Meeting Minutes
November 16, 1999

Attending:

• Joseph DiPinto
• Charles Simpson
• Charles Reinhardt
• Dennis Rochford
• Thomas Grabowski
• Deborah Capano
• Gregg Sylvester
• Joseph Lieberman
• David McBride
• Calvin Wilson
• Patricia Blevins

Absent:

• Vivian Longo

Welcome and Introductions

Gregg Sylvester welcomed all to the meeting; HFAC members and the public introduced themselves.

Review and Approval of Minutes and Agenda

The minutes from the November 2 meeting were approved as was the agenda for today's meeting.

Next Meeting

HFAC's meeting scheduled for November 30 was cancelled, due to public hearings being held on November 29 and 30. The next HFAC meeting will be 12/14/99. Steve Martin, University of Delaware will be invited to the next two meetings. David McBride asked that all documents note the date.

Tobacco Updates

Gregg Sylvester announced that the tobacco settlement reached final approval status on November 16, as 80% of the states - representing 80% of the settlement payments - have achieved state-specific finality. With final approval, tobacco industry payments will move from interest-bearing escrow accounts to state treasuries. Gregg reported that payments are expected within two weeks, followed by payments in January and April, 2000.

David McBride added that receipt of the money affects the implementation of the "Pill Bill," noting that if funds are received by December 1, the prescription drug payment assistance program may begin on January 1, 2000.

Old Business

Public hearing Update: Kent and Sussex County hearings are scheduled for November 29; Wilmington and Newark hearings for November 30. Members of the public were encouraged to contact DHSS, Office of the Secretary with written comments. Further, members of the public were encouraged to testify at one hearing rather than multiple hearings.

Fund Management Workshop: A workshop on options for the fiscal management of the Delaware Health Fund has been scheduled for November 22 at Grass Dale, Delaware City, 1:30 to 4:30. J.P. Morgan and Salomon Smith Barney will make presentations. Youth Tobacco Survey: Copies of the Youth Tobacco Survey protocol were distributed to committee members. Stephanie McClellan reported that Dr. Steve Martin has requested that the committee review the protocol and provide comments by the first week in December. Joseph DiPinto raised questions about the size and randomness of the survey sample. He encouraged all members to read the protocol and give comments. He also raised the issue of whether or not the survey needs to be "certified" by the American Legacy Foundation. David McBride noted that there has been a large amount of work done on youth and tobacco and recommended that Delaware compare its results with that of other states.

DHFAC Web Site: The web site will be up and running on the Internet on November 17. It is located at www.state.de.us/dhss/healthfund. The site provides information on the committee, meeting dates, public hearing dates, and link to other related sites. In addition, DHFAC has a new e-mail address: healthfund@state.de.us. The committee and the public were encouraged to use both as sources of disseminating information and communicating with the committee.

New Business

Report to the Governor and General Assembly: DHFAC's report to the Governor and General Assembly was distributed to the committee and members of the public.

DHFAC Process: Deborah Capano raised the issue that several interested parties have inquired about how to apply for funds from the Delaware Health Fund and about how they might bring policy/program ideas before the committee. Through the committee's discussion on this topic it was decided that after the public hearings the committee will reconvene to determine - given public comment - broad categories of funding. Gregg Sylvester suggested that these broad categories should then be recommended to the Governor and General Assembly as interim recommendations. Moreover, Gregg Sylvester suggested that after broad categories have been determined the committee may then receive written proposals. Thomas Grabowski asked about the kind of catagories to be addressed and Gregg Sylvester offered the examples of an interest bearing account (rainy day fund), one-time costs, prevention, and services. Charles Reinhardt supports categories and percentages but further noted the need to utilize the public's comments. Joseph Lieberman noted that if the committee were to accept written proposals, the committee should identify an internal review team and develop a review process.

Patricia Blevins urged the committee, however, not to assume there will be $35 million worth of grants available. Joseph DiPinto also commented on the relationship between the Delaware Health Fund and traditional spending lines: that the Delaware Health Funds should not replace existing sources of funding. David McBride noted that Senate Bill 8 requires that the Delaware Health Fund does not replace existing state funding; Gregg Sylvester concurred that these funds cannot supplant 1999 funding. It was decided that the committee will need to come to a decision about allocating funds and receiving written proposals. Specifically, the committee will need to decide if this will be done and if so, what percentage of the Fund will be allotted for this purpose. This will be discussed at the next meeting, following public hearings. David McBride noted that legislators would make the final determination with information from this committee.

Mental Health/Substance Abuse Issues in Delaware: Gregg Sylvester introduced Renata J. Henry, Director of the Division of Alcoholism, Drug Abuse and Mental Health, DHSS. Ms. Henry presentation focused on the need for public mental health and substance abuse services in Delaware and gaps in existing services. Moreover, Ms. Henry touched upon the trends in mental health and substance abuse and demographic changes that portend an increase in service needs. The committee requested that Ms. Henry provide the committee with a list of service providers and partners in the community.

Public Comments

Leonard Young, representing Stand for Children, commented that that he supports the idea of broad categories of funding, especially in the area of prevention. Vivian Young, also with Stand for Children, raised the issue that part of the funds should be for education and recommended creative approaches to teaching prevention. Gilbert Sloan spoke about the relationship between violent crime and the passage of Rowe v. Wade, recommending that the DHFAC support efforts that promote women's rights to choose. Denise McMullan, ADAPTA, spoke about the need for deinstitutionalization. Rob Simmons, Christiana Care, encouraged the committee to focus on prevention and early intervention.

The meeting was adjourned.

Next Meeting:
December 14, 1999
Delaware Technical and Community College, Dover
Conference Room 427