DHFAC Meeting Minutes
November 30,2000
Present:
- Patricia Blevins
- Deborah Capano
- Thomas Grabowski
- Joseph Lieberman
- Charles F. Reinhardt
- Dennis Rochford
- Gregg C. Sylvester (Chair)
Absent:
- Joseph DiPinto
- David McBride
- Calvin Wilson
Welcome & Introductions
Gregg Sylvester welcomed the committee and the public.
Approval of minutes
Minutes from the October 26 meeting were approved without amendment.
Preliminary Budget Recommendations to State Budget Director
Secretary Sylvester informed the committee that the State Budget Director requested preliminary recommendations on Health Fund appropriations prior to finalizing the Governor's Recommended budget in early December.
Secretary Sylvester reviewed SFY01 appropriations from the Health Fund. He presented a worksheet separating these appropriations into one-time and ongoing costs. The committee discussed which appropriations should be ongoing, and which should not be requested again for SFY02. The committee agreed to make preliminary, general recommendations that would request ongoing funding for many initiatives, and requesting that other funds be held for specific recommendations from the committee when more data is available and when payment amounts are certain.
The following recommendations were made to the State Budget Director for SFY02:
| Initiatives | Amount |
|---|---|
| DE Prescription Assistance Program (12 months) | $5.150.4 |
| Tobacco Control & Prevention | $2,833.0 |
| Medical Coverage: Persons who Lose SSI due to Unearned Income (12 months) | $2,970.0 |
| Increased Medicaid Eligibility for Pregnant Women & Infants | $408.7 |
| Public Access Defibrillation (infrastructure and new devices) | $375.0 |
| Substance Abuse: Transitional Housing (second of three years) | $200.0 |
| Staff Assistance on Health Issues: Delaware Health Care Commission | $56.5 |
| Minor Capital Improvements to State-Run Long Term Care Facilities (with future recommendations on long term strategy for public facilities) | $1,900.0 |
| Uninsured Action Plan (planning and action) | $1,000.0 |
| Chronic Disease Pilot Project | $500.0 |
| Lesser-Known Illnesses: Testing Regimens | $150.0 |
| TOTAL | $15,543.6 |
The committee recommended that $2,950.3 of one-time costs not included here be held for further recommendations from the committee in May. At that time, we will have data on the success of these programs, the benefit of public input, and a chance to explore new or expanded programs. These one-time costs from SFY2001 were:
- DE Prescription Assistance Program--$2,322.4 for SFY00
- Public Access Defibrillation--$377.9 in one-time costs
- Survey of the Disabled in DE--$250.0
The committee further recommended that the remaining funds be placed in the strategic reserve. If we receive the full payment of $27,381.0, that amount would be $8,887.1. However, the committee anticipates that the payments will be adjusted based on tobacco sale volume. The actual payment amount will affect the final recommendations.
HFAC Process
The committee had previously agreed to the following timeline:
- Make preliminary recommendation to the State Budget Office in early December 2000.
- Hold a forum for public comment and proposals in February 2001.
- Reach consensus on committee recommendations in April 2001.
- Present final recommendations to the Governor and General Assembly in May 2001.
The committee discussed the format for the public forum and decided the following:
- Committee members should share their ideas for new or expanded initiatives in the January 24 meeting.
- One evening forum will be held in New Castle County in February.
- The forum should focus on ideas and justification, not full program proposals.
- A report on current initiatives should be available to the public prior to the forum.
- Written comments will be accepted
Update on Tobacco Prevention Contracts
Dr. Ulder Tillman, Director of Public Health, updated the committee on the status of DPH Tobacco contracts. Note: The following table has been updated to reflect the status of contracts as of January 4, 2001.
| Contract | Amount | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| Media (PSC #423) | $690.5 ($415.5 from DHF) | Pre-Bid Meeting: Sept 6 with 29 people in attendance Bid Open: Sept 29 with 6 proposals submitted Selection Teams: Met on Oct 5 Status: Contract with A,B & C in place |
| Community (PSC #424) Category A: Youth Specific Category B: General Audience |
$360.0 ($340.0 from DHF) Category A = $105.0 Category B = $255.0 |
Pre-Bid Meeting: Sept 6 with 38 people in attendance Bid Open: Sept 29 with 6 proposals submitted Selection Teams: Met on Oct 6 Status: Contract with ALA in place |
| Coordination (PSC #425) | $180.0 (All from DHF) | Pre-Bid Meeting: Sept 11 with 9 people in attendance Bid Open: Oct 2 with 4 proposals submitted Selection Teams: Met on Oct 10 Status: Contract with Prospect in place |
| Cessation (PSC #426) | $195.0 ($185.0 from DHF) | Pre-Bid Meeting: Sept 11 with 13 people in attendance Bid Open: Oct 2 with 3 proposals submitted Selection Teams: Met on Oct 12 Status: Contract with Optum in place |
| Evaluation (PSC #427) | $225.0 ($150.0 from DHF) | Pre-Bid Meeting: Sept 13 with 13 people in attendance Bid Open: Oct 11 with 3 proposals submitted Selection Team: Met on Oct 18 Status: Contract with Gallup Organization in place |
| Health Promotion Campaigns:
(PSC # 431) Category A: Nutrition & Physical Activity Category B: Cancer Prevention |
$335.0 (All from DHF) Category A = $200.0 Category B = $135 |
Pre-Bid Meeting: Oct 3 with 19 people in attendance Bid Open: Oct 31 with 6 proposals submitted Selection Team: Met on Nov 8 Status: Contract negotiations are underway for Category A. Team decided to split Category B into several smaller contracts |
| Cardiovascular Disease Screening (PSC #437) |
$200.0 (All from DHF) | Pre-Bid Meeting: Oct 30 with 4 people in attendance Bid Open: Nov 29 Selection Team: Met on Dec 11 |
| Lesser Known Illness | $150.0 (All from DHF) | Pre-Bid Meeting: Oct 10 with 2 people in attendance Bid Open: Nov 13 with 2 proposals submitted Selection Team: Date TBD Status: Selection team to meet |
| Community -Based Programming (Intergovernmental transfer to OPEI) |
$110.0 (All from DHF) 4 contracts @ $27,500 each |
Pre-Bid Meeting: Nov 16 Bid Open: Dec 7 Selection Team:: Met on Dec 12 Status: OPEI is gathering additional info from some potential vendors |
| Totals | Totals $2,065.5 from DHF |
Items for future meetings
The December meeting was cancelled.
The following items were suggested for future meetings:
- Discussion of committee members' priorities for new and expanded initiatives (next meeting)
- DPAP update /McBride Resolution (SR 33)
Public Comment
Judy Zahnow of the Impact Coalition thanked the committee for accepting public input. She stated that she was impressed with what is being done with the $2.3 million in the Division of Public Health. She expressed the Impact Coalition's hope that more money goes to tobacco prevention next year. Impact believes that last year was just the beginning. CDC says Delaware should invest a minimum of $8.5 million per year in tobacco control. Impact asks for continued and increased support of tobacco control activities.
Dr. Rob Simmons commented on behalf of the American Heart Association that $50,000 to $100,000 in funding for Public Access Defibrillation would meet the community need. On behalf of Christiana Care, Mr. Simmons reminded the committee that the money is from the tobacco settlement and tobacco control should be a priority. He urged the committee to treat all initiatives with the same scrutiny applied to the tobacco control initiative.
Dr. Robert Frelick asked that the public be informed about current activities for the public forum.
Joanne Hasse of the League of Women Voters echoed Dr. Frelick's comment. She noted that the public needs knowledge to participate meaningfully.
