Cook County Health Special Board Meeting - September 11, 2020
After one hour of testimony and four hours of discussion, the Cook County Health Board approved a budget of $3.3 billion for 2021. The budget for 2020 was $2.8 billion. However, along with the approved budget, it also voted 6-4 to add an amendment asking for an additional $23 million which equates to the "indirect" costs of CC Correctional and Public Health Departments. Interim CEO Carey and Interim Chief Business Officer Gibson were asked to ASAP identify what services, staff, etc. would be restored if the $23 million was granted. Hours were spent in discussion with a majority of board members stating that they wanted to have more early involvement in setting budget priorities. The Board’s Vice-Chair made the following points:
Interim CEO Carey noted that there were over 100 public speakers during the two budget hearings and the Sept. 11, 2020 special board meeting to approve the budget. Two programs eliminated in the 2021 budget generated a significant amount of testimony:
As the meeting closed, several members of the board restated the following points:
For those wishing to have more information about the budget categories and amounts, the 2021 proposed budget can be found HERE. Diane Edmundson - Observer
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Cook County Health (CCH) Board Meeting - February 28, 2020
Board Reports and Discussion:
West Side United presented an overview of their plans. Six hospitals on the west side have joined together to address social determinants of health. The life expectancy on the west side is 16 years shorter than in the Loop that is just a couple miles away. They hope to halve the difference by 2030. They just completed a 1000-day plan and will be starting the next 1000-day strategic plan. They are convening with the community on March 5, 2020. Dr. Sharon Welbel, epidemiologist at Stroger and Dr. Kiran Joshi of CC department of public health presented a COVID-19 update. Cook County has testing capabilities and does not need to use CDC kits. CCH has been actively preparing for an influx of cases and have implemented a rapid identification plan and set aside 2 ER rooms for suspected COVID-19 cases that are not in proximity to other rooms. Over 1000 healthcare workers have already been trained. Board President Hammock report:
Items to Watch for in the Future:
Observer- Lisa Slankard Meeting Length: 2 hours 40 minutes then meeting went to closed session Outgoing Cook County Health CEO Begins Strategic Discussion On Self-Pay For Medical Services1/2/2020 Cook County Health Board Meeting - December 20, 2019
Following up on the 2020 budget deliberations and the very real issue of the increased cost for charity care, Dr. Shannon, presiding at his final board meeting before leaving the system, led a discussion on “self-pay” and how other major public hospitals across the country handle it. For purposes of discussion, self-pay is used in place of charity care. There was a 17% increase in year-over-year charges from FY 2018 to 2019 from $158 million to $185 million. The percentage of self-pay was 1.2% in 2018 but dropped to .4% in 2019. The largest service increases are: Radiation Therapy [75%], Family Practice [50%], Gynecology [33%] and Surgery [29%]. Comparisons of NY Health & Hospitals; Jackson Memorial [N. Texas & Oklahoma]; Parkland [Dallas]; and Grady [Atlanta]; self-pay plans were passed to the Board and include:
2. Kiosks with payment options 3. Training staff to collect/swipe cash or credit/debit cards This would be a major change in policy for CCH as well as culture. Several board members questioned whether the County Commissioners and President would accept this concept. President Hammock responded that the System should provide an analysis and recommendations so that both it and the County elected officials have a base to work from including possibly deciding to provide more revenue to CCH to handle charity care. Laurence Msall, President of the Civic Federation stated in public comments “The Civic Federation remains adamant in our support of this [volunteer] board…..” He also recommended that the System steer clear of initiatives that do not fit with its core strategy, but did not state what they might be. Observer - Diane Edmundson Meeting Length: 2 ½ Hrs. Cook County Health (CCH) Board of Directors Meeting - July 26, 2019
Board Decisions: The board unanimously approved the preliminary 2020 strategic plan, which will be available for public input later this summer and presented to the Cook County Board in September. The plan calls for:
Committee Reports.
Observed by: Linda Christianson Meeting Length: 3 hours Cook County Health (CCH) Board Meeting - May 31, 2019
What did the Board discuss:
Observer - Michele Niccolai Meeting Length: 3 hours Cook County Health (CCH) Board Meeting
March 29, 2019 Director Mary Richardson-Lowry was elected Vice Chair of the Board replacing the long serving Commissioner Butler who resigned from the Board in 2018. Director Richardson-Lowry has been a member of the Hospital Board since 2015, Chairing the Human Resources Committee. A partner in the Chicago office of Mayer Brown law firm, her illustrious career includes having served as Commissioner of the Chicago Department of Buildings, Past President, Chicago Board of Education and Metropolitan Family Services Board member. What did the Board Discuss?
Items to Watch for in the Future
Observed by Barbara Hayes and Susan Kern Meeting Length: 3 hours 15 minutes |
AuthorIndividual authors are credited at the end of each report. Archives
December 2020
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