Until More is Known about ACA, CCHHS To Continue As Usual

Cook County Health and Hospitals System Board Meeting - February 24, 2017  

Affordable Care Act (ACA) Update:

• Both County Hospital CEO Shannon & Chair of the Board, Hammock when asked about the possible ACA Repeal emphasize that since nothing is known at present, The Cook County Health and Hospitals System (CCHHS) will not react to "what we don’t know!" Business will continue as usual for now.
  
• ​Dr. Shannon elaborated on a media release by Crains’ Chicago Business and others who trumpeted a loss of $300 million a year to Cook County should Obamacare be repealed.  “Advocacy groups have been defending the ACA” he said. 
  
• Dr, Shannon also announced that he would be attending the National Association of County Hospitals in D.C. later in  February where the following  policy recommendations will be proposed: 1) No repeal of the ACA without a replacement 2) No cap on Medicaid payments in block grants to States, continue the per member federal/state payments based on means testing.

Significant Topics Discussed:

• Director Junge reported an additional drop in Countycare (managed Medicaid plan at CCHHS) membership primarily due to a 2.4% decrease in ACA adults and consequent $94 million deficit in the budget compared to expected in fiscal year 2017.  This, at a time, when Blue Cross Blue Shields’ (BCBS) comparable plan saw increased enrollment.  Director Lowry and Estrada attribute the BCBS recruitment advantage to less restrictive marketing which CCHHS, as a County hospital, must abide by as well as the the widespread BCBS brand preference by the public.  Director Gonzalez called for marketing research on the “brand issue” which Steve Glass indicated had already been done and showed Countycare to be a valued brand name associated with excellent doctors.

Other Observations:

• Public speakers for and against County Hospital funding of undocumented immigrants’ care and immigrant rights unleashed an emotional prologue to the Board meeting.  Chair Hammock reiterated the mission of CCHHS to care for all in need regardless of citizenship status.  
• In the last 2 years, over 1/3 of CCHHS patients were uninsured, many representing illegal immigrants.  Proposals for changes in federal immigration and healthcare policy might directly impact the volume of patients served and fiscal foundation of County Hospitals in the years ahead

Items to Watch For:

• Cook County President Preckwinkle and the CCHHS Nominating Committee have interviewed 9 candidates for filling the two CCHHS vacant Board positions (Wayne Lerner and Dr.  Erica Marsh resigned mid-term for personal reasons). New board appointments may soon be forthcoming. 
  

Observer - Susan Kern, M.D.                                          Meeting Length - 3 hours