$4.257B Proposed 2024 Cook County Health Budget Approved By CCH Board

Cook County Health (CCH) Board of Directors Meeting
August 25, 2023  -  9AM

Board Action and Reports:

• Unanimously approved with minimal discussion, by the CCH Board (who were all present in person or virtually or excused) the budget now heads for final approval to the Cook County Board.  Increase of $265 million from the 2023 budget of $3.992 billion is attributed to a ramp up of new service line investments in cardiology, neurology and cancer center and by rising costs and utilization rates for lab, registry temporary services, medical and pharmacy supplies.  Defraying these expenditures are projected enhanced revenues from federal programs $196 million (DSH/BIPA/GME/Direct Payments), increased CCH net patient revenues $62 million and additional Cook County tax allocation of $10 million (total tax allocation $157.7 million).
• Aaron Galeener, Chief Admin. Officer of CountyCare managed health plan reported on the redetermination of Medicaid benefits for plan members which was on pause during COVID.  Rolling numbers of members each month will be required to submit information to confirm eligibility starting June 2023 through May 2024.  Favorable retention rate to CountyCare of 85% vs 69% Statewide is recorded for the early months.
• Asylum Seekers program at Belmont Cragin ACHN (Ambulatory & Community Health Network clinic of Cook County Health) celebrated their 1st year anniversary providing healthcare including mental/behavioral health and transportation to appointments for immigrants.  Craig Williams, Chief Admin. Officer, Operations & Development detailed the services and noted that the cost of $1.8 million a month was funded by charitable support from the City of Chicago, CareLink, and other organizations. 
• Emergency increase of $36 million to the 5-year $400 million pharmaceutical contract generated the most animated discussion by Board Directors who were concerned that the contract amendment had not gone through the Finance Committee scrutiny on August 17, 2023 as is standard contract compliance governance.  Directors Currie, Robinson, Harrington, and Garza voiced disquiet that the “add on contract” was not in the Board packet. Director Reiter, Finance Committee Chair and CEO Rocha defended their decision as necessary to prevent an over-draft of the contract which was imminent due to a significant increment in the cost of pharmaceuticals which had not been anticipated.    

Items to Watch for in the Future: 

• Many of the Health System’s Board are newly appointed.  Will there be changes in governance philosophy?

Observed By: Susan Kern