New Board Leadership Unveils Revised Format for Monthly Board Meetings

Cook County Health Board of Directors Meeting
November 19, 2021

CCH Board President, Lyndon Taylor, announced that the board will no longer hear reports from the various committee meetings.  Instead, if a committee has held a meeting since the last Board meeting, the committee chair will highlight important issues and ask if there are questions.  If a committee has not met, it will make a presentation to the board members.  All committee minutes will be voted on at one time. 
 
CEO Rocha reported that moving forward, divisional updates will be provided to ensure that the CCH Board of Directors “has a deeper understanding of operational successes, opportunities and challenges.”   Areas to be covered include:
 
. Stroger Hospital                                                                            . Correctional Health
. Provident Hospital                                                                       . Public Health
. Ambulatory Care                                                                           . Cook County Health Plan Services
                            Administrative [regulatory, legislative, strategic initiatives, etc.]
 
Rocha also stated that his monthly reports will include strategic highlights and that 95% of the System’s employees are fully vaccinated and 98% have had at least 1 dose.
 
Human Resources

• Turnover of 10% to date is higher than normal, particularly in nursing.  Covid a factor
• 1,035 positions are open
• Average time to fill a vacancy is 105 days
• Contract staff still needed to support the HR team – it is also needed to fill nursing and other vacancies
• Although a new effort, job fairs are helping to identify candidates – finding qualified nurses is critical

 
Managed Care

• County Care has proposed a Medicaid/Medicare Plan to capture Medicaid patients who will soon turn 65 and be eligible for Medicare.  This will require investment and increased cost as the System will need to increase its capacity to serve geriatric patients including pharmacy needs
• The Cook County Budget was amended to include $30 million to establish reserves

 
Finance Committee

• On accrual basis as of September 30, System shows a $42 M positive variance.  On a cash basis $97 M. 
• County Care membership 410,000 as of Sept. 30, 2021 with an operational gain of $9 M.  Both revenues and expenses are higher due to membership growth.
•  2021 savings from contract re-negotiations:  Goal $16.5 M    To date: $12.2

 
Public Health

• Every 5 years Illinois state law requires certified local health departments to complete an assessment of community health needs.  Cook County calls theirs “We Plan 2025”.  Dr. Joshi presented the Cook County Department of Public Health’s Plan which was very thorough.  Director Koetting cautioned that there can be a risk of getting outside of the control of the Public Health Department – he said to be realistic vs theoretical on how people actually “get access to health care needs”

 
Note:  All of these reports can be found on www.cookcountyhealth.org
Observer:  Diane Edmundson