AGING AND LONG TERM CARE COMMITTEE

 

Monday, May 7, 2007

Administrative Center – 3220 Conference Room

9:00 a.m.

 

MEMBERS PRESENT:  Roger Plesha, Jim Ehrsam, Ann Fisher, Lyell Montgomery, Ray Ebert, Sharon Hampson, Jason Gillett (exc 9:35)   

MEMBERS EXCUSED:  Jerry Sebranek      

MEMBERS ABSENT:  None   

GUESTS & STAFF:  Pam Semb, Noreen Kuroski, Pete Eide, Mary Hennen, Steve O’Malley, Cheryl Stephen

 

CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL

Roger Plesha, Committee Chair, called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. 

 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

MOTION by Ehrsam/Fisher to approve minutes of April 9, 2007.  Motion carried unanimously; Sebranek excused.

 

CONSENT AGENDA

MOTION by Ehrsam/Fisher to receive and place on file the following consent agenda items:

Motion carried unanimously; Sebranek excused.

 

PUBLIC COMMENT

No requests.

 

RESOLUTION RE NATIONAL NURSING HOME WEEK – MAY 13-19, 2007

MOTION by Ehrsam/Gillett to approve the resolution.  Motion carried unanimously; Sebranek excused. 

 

PREPARE NOW – EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS FOR VULNERABLE POPULATION

Noreen Kuroski distributed information.  The draft “Disaster Supply Kit” information sheets are for 72-hour timeframe.  After some review, Committee Chair Plesha questioned the use of pliers relating to turning off utilities; he relayed concern of someone cutting electrical wires or gas lines.  General agreement by committee members to eliminate the words:  “to turn off utilities”.  Noreen also noted the “Special Needs Registry Application” will create a database.  There are many agencies involved in these efforts:  Aging Unit, Emergency Management, Sheriff & Police, and Health Dept.  Will be doing an extensive press release in the very near future.

 

COUNTY AGING UNIT 2006 ANNUAL REPORT

Noreen noted it as a summary of revenues, expenses, major goals & accomplishments, and congregate/home delivered meals statistics.  Informational.

Page 2 – Aging & Long Term Care Committee Minutes of May 7, 2007

 

 

2006 FINANCIAL REPORTS FOR HILLVIEW AND LAKEVIEW

Pete Eide and Pam Semb distributed copies of the 2006 financial information.  Hillview showed $46,844 over budget for 2006.  Pete noted mostly due to increases in wages and benefits, as well as insufficient Medicaid reimbursements.  Ideally, more private pay would help the situation.  Noted Carroll Heights generates revenue.  Pete is in the midst of soliciting RFP’s for analysis on independent living options.

 

Lakeview had budget shortfall of $357,993 in addition to the tax levy of $1,559,406.  Again, due to increases in salaries and benefits as well as insufficient reimbursements from Medicaid/Medicare.  Pam noted for the past several months, census numbers have been good.   

 

UPDATE ON STATE AND FEDERAL BUDGETS RE NURSING HOMES

Pete gave an update.  The federal government has approved a 3.3% increase in Medicare reimbursement.  The State will give its number sometime in August; the Governor has proposed 2% increase but advocates are still pushing for 5% increase.  Mary Hennen noted Medicaid rates change quarterly based on “case mix index”; quarterly is better than yearly.  Pam noted Lakeview is working on getting better reimbursement on the behavioral-type patients.

 

UPDATE ON LAKEVIEW COLLABORATION

Pam and Steve O’Malley gave an update.  Vernon County Board has approved the concept.  Monroe is expected to act on it this month.  Also meeting with Juneau and Crawford Counties with plans of coming on board in July or August.  The only County that has decided against the plan is Jackson; action failed within their Human Services Board.  Steve will make contact with the County Board Chair to encourage participation.  Steve noted for just Vernon and Monroe Counties, these two counties will generate additional revenue for Lakeview of about $340,000.  Supervisor Montgomery had concern of rejecting Jackson County patients.  Steve noted Jackson County had made the decision to sell their nursing home; why should La Crosse County taxpayers help pay for other county residents.  Pam noted that any placements at Mendota would cost at least 10 times more than what Lakeview currently charges.    

 

FOLLOW-UP FROM COUNTY BOARD RETREAT – WHAT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SHOULD COME BEFORE THE COMMITTEE

No suggestions or comments from the committee members.

 

ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS

Committee Chair Plesha requested monthly update on Senior Care; seniors will be looking for other resources or guidance with the changeover.  Noted that Senior Care is in effect until year end.

 

JOINT MEETING WITH HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES BOARD – JUNE 11 @5:00 P.M.

Noreen asked for agenda input.  She noted with the expansion of the Aging & Disability Resource Center, the stakeholders are asked for input.  No comments or input given at this time.

 

NEXT MEETING

June 11th, 9:00 a.m. at Hillview.

 

ADJOURNMENT

MOTION by Ehrsam/Ebert to adjourn the meeting.  Motion carried unanimously; Sebranek and Gillett excused.  The meeting adjourned at 9:49 a.m.

 

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

Cheryl Stephen, Recorder