AGING AND LONG TERM CARE COMMITTEE
Monday, July 9, 2007
Administrative Center – Room 3220
9:00 a.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT: Roger Plesha, Jim Ehrsam, Ann Fisher, Ray Ebert, Sharon Hampson, Lyell Montgomery, Jason Gillett, Jerry Sebranek
MEMBERS EXCUSED: None
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
GUESTS & STAFF: Pam Semb, Noreen Kuroski, Pete Eide, Lynetta Kopp, Sheena Lorenz, 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 June 11, 2007. Motion carried unanimously.
CONSENT AGENDA
MOTION by Ehrsam/Gillett to receive and place on file the following consent agenda items:
Motion carried unanimously.
PUBLIC COMMENT
Lynnetta Kopp, Director of RSVP, addressed the committee, claiming the Aging Unit Department is not providing RSVP with reports regarding volunteer hours at Senior Nutrition Sites; this information was provided by previous Aging Unit Directors per a Memorandum of Understanding. These numbers (hours) are used by RSVP in order to complete State and federal reporting requirements.
PREPARE NOW UPDATE & NEWS CONFERENCE
Noreen Kuroski reviewed. Larry White of the Aging Dept. and Keith Butler of Emergency Management are working together on this initiative with the assistance of civic organizations, including churches. It will assist the elderly and disabled in preparation of a disaster; they need to prepare for the first 72 hours without emergency services following such an event. A list of these folks, who cannot take care of themselves, will be kept by emergency personnel.
GRANT FOR HMONG ASSESSMENTS COMPLETION
Noreen noted the Aging Unit Department received a $5,000 grant from UW Extension-Madison. The current Hmong population in the County will be assessed as to what kind of services they need. A survey document was written in Hmong and English will be distributed with the results compiled by Gundersen/Lutheran. A limited part-time employee will assist with the project as well as some assistance provided by CMO and Health Dept.
SITE MANAGERS’ ELIGIBILITY FOR BENEFITS
Noreen noted Site Managers had first received vacation and sick leave benefits starting in 2006. Starting in 2008, they will receive all benefits same as other part-time employees. Question asked regarding cost to the County in providing health insurance. Noreen did not know if any of the Site Managers would want health coverage as they would need to pay a larger portion of the cost and most are also Medicare eligible.
UPDATE ON PHARMACEUTICAL SERVICES
Pete Eide reviewed on behalf of Hillview and Lakeview. The pharmaceuitcal vendor is new as of June 1. There have been some issues, but these were resolved immediately; this will continue to get better over time. Also, slightly better pricing than the previous vendor. The new vendor will also be located in La Crosse effective September 1.
UPDATE ON ASSISTED LIVING @HILLVIEW
Pete gave an update noting Wipfli, as the contracted consultant, is gathering data regarding assisted living feasibility study. There is space on the Hillview campus for such. Currently, finishing up on the market research stage of the study.
MEDICAL ASSISTANCE INEQUALITY OVER THE PAST YEARS
Pete prepared and sent with the agenda a document showing “Medicaid Rates vs. Actual Eligible Costs” from 1999 thru 2006. In 1999, it showed daily loss of $15.64 per day/per resident and for 2006, the loss was at $40.53. He noted currently in 2007, it’s averaging $46.00per day/per client.
UPDATE ON STATE BUDGET RE MEDICAID FUNDING
Pete noted the Governor and the Senate have approved a 2% increase in Medicaid; waiting on what the Assemby will do. It’s been averaging about 2% each year, but actual increases are closer to 5%.
DISCUSS LAKEVIEW’S DEFICIT, INCLUDING TYPES OF RESIDENTS AND COSTS TO RELOCATE
Pam Semb noted Lakeview has met their tax levy cap at the direction of the County Administrator and are striving to increase revenues. The community-based facilities have helped in this matter as well anticipating collaboration with other counties who have residents at Lakeview. In looking at just La Crosse County residents at Lakeview, staff determined that 16 could be placed in other traditional-type nursing homes; 64 would need to be placed in various levels of community placement or at Trempealeau or at Mendota. Cost to place these 64 elsewhere is estimated between $5.1-5.9 million. Current tax levy for Lakeview is $2.3 million.
UPDATE ON LAKEVIEW COLLABORATION
Pam noted Monroe, Crawford and Vernon have approved their participation in the Lakeview Collaboration. Juneau is looking to pass a resolution in August. Other counties that have shown interest are Richland, Sauk, and Marinette and Barron. Staff will be attending meetings at these counties and encouraged committee members’ participation also. Jackson County is starting to understand the value to them to join. Supervisor Hampson asked what the revenue benefit is from each county. Pam will provide this information at a future meeting. The plan is to implement this new initiative by January 1, 2008; in the meantime the detail will be worked out, such as by-laws, board make-up, etc.
At this same time, Pam noted Lakeview is currently at capacity. La Crosse County has always had first priority for County residents, but once the collaboration is in effect, those member counties will have equal rights. Admission will be based on patient’s need for services. Also noted that any county not a part of the collaboration could be served with a discharge notice but this process takes longer than 30 days; and at the same time, need to file an agreement with the State regarding the downsizing.
ITEMS FOR FUTURE AGENDAS
Monday, August 6th at 9:00 a.m.
ADJOURNMENT
MOTION by Ehrsam/Gillett to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting adjourned at 9:38 a.m.
Disclaimer: The above minutes may be approved, amended or corrected at the next committee meeting.
Cheryl Stephen, Recorder