State/Federal Funding Update Provided to Inform CCHHS Strategic Planning Process

Cook County Health and Hospitals System Board
Special Meeting - May 5, 2016

Purpose of Meeting: An update for Cook County Health and Hospitals System (CCHHS) Board Members on how health policy and financial decisions in Springfield and in Washington DC may influence what happens within CCHHS in the next 3 years. Presenters were lobbyists who work with Illinois and Federal Government representatives and officials on Health Policy and County Government. This meeting is part of the planning process leading to the development of the CCHHS 3 year Strategic Plan to be approved in June. 

Significant Topics Discussed:

• Part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) was the phase out of Medicaid Disproportionate Share (DSH) payments which have been a part of the CCHHS budget for many years - $162m in 2015. DSH payments in the past have been made to those hospitals serving a large number of uninsured and Medicaid patients but with the expansion of Medicaid as part of the ACA it was thought that these payments could be phased out within a few years. The phase out that was scheduled to begin in 2014 has been pushed back to 2018 and the presenters indicated that they did not think the cuts to DSH are going to happen any time soon. The money received in DSH is being monitored closely with ongoing audits and County had to have $362M in cost to justify their reimbursement of $162M in 2015.
• Another possible revenue stream that could be investigated is federal money that is allocated for health care of Native Americans. Director Wiese stated that most of that money goes to Indian Reservations but a large percentage of Native Americans no longer live on reservations and perhaps some of that money would be available for health care of persons in Cook County. 
• The Medicaid Managed Care Rule was released on 4/25/16. Outcome measures are a very important component of the ruling. Another component is the “whole person” concept of medical care - how is health care coordinated with other services such as substance abuse treatment, housing, mental health, social services, and nutrition. How can a Public Hospital change the way they deliver care to work with others to attain good outcomes and spend as little as possible? The challenge for CCHHS.
• Pertinent Statistics - 1 in 4 Illinois Residents is on Medicaid and 37% of the population of Cook County is at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level.

What to Watch for in the Future:
The Board will be developing the 3 year Strategic Plan in the next few months. They will be developing strategies with measurable goals to achieve the identified priorities that have already been determined.

Upcoming Meetings in the Strategic Plan process:

• May 16 and 17 from 6-7:30pm Town Hall Meetings - to gather input from the public
• May 23 from 4-7pm - Another Board Strategic Planning Session to develop Action Plan
• May 27 - 9am Board Meeting - more work on Action Plan
• June 24 - 9am Board Meeting - adopt Proposed Plan 
• A Public Hearing will be scheduled after adoption of Plan

All information on the Strategic Planning Process is available on the CCHHS Website.

Observer - Cynthia Schilsky                          Meeting Length: 3 hours
​