AGING AND LONG TERM CARE COMMITTEE

Monday, February 5, 2007

Administrative Center – Room B390

9:00 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Roger Plesha, Jim Ehrsam, Jerry Sebranek, Ann Fisher, Ray Ebert, Jason Gillett, Lyell Montgomery, and Sharon Hampson (arr @9:20)       

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  None      

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None   

GUESTS & STAFF:  Pam Semb, Noreen Kuroski, Jim Gausmann, Pete Eide, Steve O’Malley, and Cheryl Stephen

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Roger Plesha, Committee Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:01 a.m. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Ehrsam/Sebranek to approve committee meeting minutes of January 8 and 18, 2007.  Motion carried unanimously; Hampson absent.

CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION by Gillett/Sebranek to receive and place on file the following consent agenda items:

• Commission on Aging Minutes of January 2, 2007
• Commission on Aging Advisory Committee Minutes of December 6, 2006
• Family Care Consumer Corp Training on February 27^th at Stoney Creek in Onalaska
• Open House at Regent Manor (new Adult Family Home) in West Salem on February 23^rd from 1:00-6:00 p.m.
• Ripples & Waves – Lakeview’s Newsletter for February, 2007

Motion carried unanimously; Hampson absent.

PUBLIC COMMENT

No requests by the public.

UPDATE ON VETERANS SERVICES

Jim Gausmann distributed a handout relating to increase in Veterans Service office visits from 2003-2006 and information relating to personal and home improvement loans.  The following notations were made:

• Office visits have tripled as compared to 2003.
• WI VA offers personal loans from $5,000-25,000 at interest rates ranging from 6.25-9.5%
• Home improvement loans available up to $100,000 (80-90% of home equity) with interest rates varying from 6.25-7.25%.
• Discussion on VA van making trips to Tomah VA Medical Center.  Jim noted the VA maintains the van; mileage averages 30,000-40,000/yearly; average of 25-30 veterans monthly to Tomah; currently have 7-8 volunteer Veterans van drivers.

RESOLUTION RE SUPPORT INCREASING THE MEDICAID (MA) REIMBURSEMENT RATE 5%

MOTION by Ehrsam/Gillett to approve the resolution.  Motion carried unanimously; Hampson absent. 

INFORMATION RE PHARMACY RFP

Pete Eide reviewed.  Currently have a 5-year contract with Omni Care but after 3 years there is a

Page 2 – Aging and Long Term Care Committee Minutes of February 5, 2007

provision in the contract of opting out and seeking RFPs.  The current contract was with a local company that was sold out to Omni Care which is a very large corporation; since this occurred, customer service has not been as good.  Staff will bring the Pharmacy RFP to the March committee meeting for approval.  Supervisor Ehrsam suggested staff contact Craig Thompson at WCA as they have secured drug contracts for other governmental entities.

UPDATE ON LAKEVIEW COLLABORATION WITH OTHER COUNTIES

Pam Semb noted she and other County staff are continuing to meet with Vernon and Monroe Counties; the plan is to get their commitment by Spring.  Steve O’Malley suggested La Crosse County Board Members act as ambassadors when meeting their peer group at upcoming events; it would be helpful to hand them the Q & A that was prepared at the suggestion of Supervisor Ehrsam.  Committee Chairman Plesha suggested pictures of the facility be shared at future meetings.  Another suggestion was to invite them to Lakeview for a tour as well as lunch.

REPORT ON MEAL SITE STATISTICS

Noreen Kuroski distributed copies of meal site statistics as prepared by the County Aging Unit.  The information included average daily congregate meals and average daily home-delivered meals for the 15 meal sites within La Crosse County.  Average daily meals served are 587 and total number of clients serviced is 2,041.  Supervisor Montgomery requested same statistics for prior years.  Noreen will bring to the March committee meeting.

ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS

• Update on Volunteer Driver Program Extension of Contract with RSVP
• RFP pharmacy contract for County nursing homes
• Previous years’ (2005 & prior) meal sites statistics

NEXT MEETING

Monday, March 5, 2007 at 9:00 a.m., including Joint Meeting with Health & Human Services Board on March 5, 2007 at 5:00 p.m.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business, Committee Chairman Plesha declared the meeting adjourned at 9:29 a.m.

Disclaimer:  The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder