Health and the Medical Center

MINUTES, January 28, 1997

 

MEMBERS:

 

Andrea Stewart-Cousins (Chair), Suzanne Swanson, Lois Bronz, Ursula La Motte

STAFF:

 

Dolores Heredia

 

GUEST(S):

 

Joe Brill (LWV), Valerie Goldstein (WCHD)

 

 

The meeting commenced at 2:10 PM.

 

Jo Brill of the League of Women Voters briefly discussed Managed Care. Ms. Brill discussed the work she is currently doing with a managed care group called the Westchester Medicaid Managed Care work group. This work group has three major areas of concerns:

 

1. Educating the Recipients:

This group discovered that the recipients are not educated enough. The want to make sure the recipients know how to use the plan, what is required of them, and what is going on with Medicaid locally. The work group wants to raise money

to print a brochure in a "coloring book" style. Leg. La Motte asked whether in the long-run clients will understand this process. Ms. Brill does not believe so since there will always be new recipients.

 

2. Rates paid in Westchester

The work group corresponded with Commissioner DeBuono regarding the rates in Westchester (Ms. Brill shared this letter with the Committee and agreed to forward the Commissioner’s response). The rates that were paid in Westchester use to be set by Westchester now they are set by the State. They rates which are low and have been dropping are both lower than surrounding State rates and lower than commercial rates. Mrs. Brill said that what will be seen is the HMO’s trying to push rates down if they pay the providers.

 

3. Pursuing Public Health Goals through Managed Care.

 

 

 

Health and the Medical Center

MINUTES, January 28, 1997

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Ms. Brill gave a breakdown of the groups:
    • Oxford
    • Independent Health (not-for-profit in this N.Y.)
    • HIP (not-for-profit)

In addition there are four other groups known as Prepaid Health Services Plans:
    • Better Health (for profit)
    • Genesis (for profit)
    • Community Choice (not-for-profit)
    • Health Source (not-for-profit)

 

 

 

 

Next, the Committee discussed a pending lawsuit of the Attorney General against tobacco companies. Leg. Stewart-Cousins is concern with argument/reasoning (Medicaid recipients and indigent people) the Attorney General is using to fight this issue. Leg. Bronz did not agree with Leg. Stewart-Cousins interpretation. Leg. Bronz believes that tobacco companies are being sued for placing a burden on public monies not to compensate Medicaid recipients and indigent people.

 

Leg. Bronz moved to adjourn, seconded by Leg. Stewart-Cousins. The meeting ended at 3:30 P.M.

 

 

 

(A taped copy of this meeting is on file)