DRAFT

MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND THE MEDICAL CENTER

FEBRUARY 20, 1996

2:00 PM

PRESENT: Chairman: - Andrea Stewart-Cousins Members: Lois Bronz,

Ursula LaMotte Secretary: Lynne Creighton

Pat Gorski, Don Sandford

Westchester Medical Center: Rosemary Castiglia, Fred Miller,

Deborah More League of Westchester Women Voters: Jo Brill

The meeting was called to order at 2:10 PM by Mrs. Stewart-Cousins.

Mr. Miller gave a summary on inpatient charges at the Medical Center.

He said that the Board of Legislators amended the charter in the mid to late 70’s to incorporate approval of these charges by the Board every year, during the process to adopt the overall budget for the medical center.

Due to state regulations relative to these fees, there is no maneuverability. Under the reimbursement system known as NYPHRM (New York Perspective Hospital Reimbursement Methodology), how much a patient is charged and how much they pay is determined . The patient is protected regardless of insurance coverage.

Mrs. LaMotte expressed concern that the uninsured were being given an advantage

over those with coverage and that premiums would be higher because of this.

Mr. Miller said that there were other provisions in the reimbursement system where all hospitals will receive some percentage from a state-wide pool for bad debt charity care. The range of fees is set through the budget process, and the Board of Legislators has the authority to approve the prices.

Because the hospital is under a regulated system, the base price changes at least twice a year. Since the Board approves the prices earlier in the year the hospital is given the flexibility to adjust these prices without having to come back to the Board.

Mrs. Stewart-Cousins would like the Board to be notified of any changes in prices from now on and Mr. Miller said he will comply.

Mrs. Stewart-Cousins thanked Mr. Miller and Mrs. More for their presentation and asked them to keep the committee updated on any new developments.

DRAFT

MINUTES

COMMITTEE ON HEALTH AND THE MEDICAL CENTER

PAGE TWO

On motion of Mrs. LaMotte and seconded by Mrs. Bronz, the minutes of

February 6 were approved.

There was a discussion on the goals and objectives of the committee. Mrs. LaMotte was concerned about educating the public on preventative medicine.

Mrs. Bronz thought a periodic health calendar would be informative and that the newspapers could be asked to do a special column on Health Awareness. Mrs. Bronz also suggested a press release regarding the establishment of a Health Awareness calendar by the committee.

Mrs. Stewart-Cousins suggested cable as another outlet.

A discussion on health centers followed, and Mrs. Stewart-Cousins stated the need for county involvement at health fairs.

care and maintenance of inpatients at the Westchester County Medical Center.

(1.29.96) A motion was made by Mrs. Bronz and seconded by Mrs. LaMotte for this item to be signed out at the next committee meeting.

The meeting was adjourned at 3:00 PM on motion of Mrs. Stewart-Cousins, seconded by Mrs. Bronz.