Cook County Health Continues Immunization Programs

Cook County Health (CCH) Board of Directors Meeting
June 24, 2022

Board Report Highlights:

• Board Chair Rocha reported 15 confirmed cases of the viral disease monkeypox in Illinois. CCH and CCDPH are monitoring the situation. Dr. Wellbell is leading the operation. Historically monkeypox has not been fatal in the US and not expected to spread widely. CCH is prepared to diagnosis and immunize.  Priority will be given to those considered high-risk; the vaccine is limited. Director Harrington stressed the importance of messaging and the limitations of vaccines.
• COVID Mortality Rate is at a record low. CCH will provide vaccination for children under five next week. Chairman Reiter questioned whether CDC has guidance on second boosters for those under 50 years and 6 months out from first boost, with high risk for pre-exposure or post exposure, and rebound cases. Rebound cases have different isolation periods. To date, CDC has not provided additional information. The boosters need to be toward omicron variant.
• The Department participated in City of Chicago and Human Resources public safety training, including, Full-Scale Disaster Response Training and Stop the Bleed, a national prevention program.  STOP the Bleed offered Training to NPF organizations, individuals, first responders, and elected officials on how to stop a bleed from gun violence. In a separate event, CEO Rocha joined President Preckwinkle, and Senator Durbin, held a press conference to advocate for gun reform.

Human Resources Report:

• Metrics Review reported separations, 265 resignations, exceed new hires (43 monthly hires), and current vacancies of 263. The strategic plan is to use modernized technology, contemporary practices and external partners in recruitment and retention. Director Harrington commented that COVID impacted the dynamics of care and staffing. 
  
• The department plans to target staffing at Providence and Stroger first. Resources and outside partners are driving force for virtual job fairs and having timely information from a nursing data base. Dr. Hasbrouck asked if salary surveys had been conducted. Plans to review RFPs will address CCH competitiveness and salaries.
• Recruiting and staffing are streamed lined through Brazen Online Platform, Solum, and Incredible Health and launching a Key Hiring Metrics Dashboard improves real time decision making and information.

Managed Care Report:

• Membership increased to 436,000, Managed Medicaid Market is at 32.5, Trends versus CC Market overall up 5% and CC up 8%. Membership versus budget; CCH Continues to exceed budget by a significant margin; it is driven by PHE’s redetermination 50% auto assignment.
• Operations show steady performance and IP Acute Admits. Vaccination rates increased to 56-57%. Claims payment is less than 11 million for claims over 30 days.
• Director Story raised a discussion about the impact of re-determination on the budget and Domestic Spend. CCH is financially stable, due in part to the extended Public Health Emergency Period.  PHE is expected to continue through October (CMS will issue a 60-day notice).  Domestic spend, CCH has seen stable utilization of facilities and planning initiatives to increase utilization. More Care expected to end this December and planning the transition process.

Observer: Gwendolyn Maxie-Brown