Health and the Medical Center

The meeting commenced at 2:15 PM.

The first item for discussion were the minutes of November 26, 1996, and December 3, 1996. Leg. Stewart-Cousins moved to approve the minutes of November 26, seconded by Leg. Swanson. All in favor [2-0], Leg. Bronz out for vote. Leg. Swanson moved to approve the minutes of December 3, seconded by Leg. Stewart-Cousins. All in favor [2-0], Leg. Bronz out for vote.

Next, the Committee agreed to open a "miscellaneous" file. Leg. Swanson moved to receive and file item number 5, a newspaper article entitled, NEWEST TRIAL THERAPY FOR SEVERE HEAD INJURIES SHUNS COMPLEX REMEDIES FOR SIMPLE ICE WATER to the miscellaneous file, seconded by Leg. Stewart-Cousins. All in favor [2-0], Leg. Bronz out for vote. The Committee will ask Commissioner Stolzenberg who is/are the personnel currently in charged of "head injuries" and forward a letter requesting further information.

The next item for discussion was agenda item number 6, a copy of a letter from Senator Suzi Oppenheimer to Commissioner Edward Stolzenberg Requesting his assistance in allowing a constituent to use the Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber at WCMC for treatment of late-state chronic Lyme disease. Leg. Stewart-Cousins commented on a telephone conversation she had with the Commissioner who clarified that it was against hospital policy to utilize this procedure. Leg. Swanson moved to receive and file, seconded by Leg. Stewart-Cousins. All in favor [2-0] Leg. Bronz out for vote.

The next item for discussion was agenda item number 7, the 1995 Audit of POMCO’s Health Benefit Claims Administration Program. Bob Boland is scheduled to have a meeting on this item and will update the Committee with any information.

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The Committee also discussed inviting Dr. Adel to address agenda items number 8, 10, and 11. The Committee suggested having a joint-meeting with Budget and Appropriations on January 21, 1997. Leg. Bronz suggested that the Committee ask Dr. Adel for a periodic report for the two budget items that are allocated (Lyme and

Prostrate). The Committee believes a periodic report will be helpful to all. Leg. Stewart-Cousins asked the Committee Members to propose dates in appropriate communities where presentations and literature distribution be available to increase awareness about Lyme disease and prostrate cancer.

Next the Committee discussed agenda item number 9, a letter from a member of the New York Medical College staff regarding parking problems at WCMC. Leg. Swanson will share copies the parking contract with the Committee. In addition, Leg. Swanson suggested contacting Mr. Fox, via letter, to further address this issue.

Lastly, Leg. Stewart-Cousins discussed an informal meeting she had with the Mental Health Clinic in Yonkers. She believes there is a lack of "link" within the system. Leg. Bronz suggested the Committee begin a dialogue to address this issue. February 18 is tentatively scheduled whereby the Committee will invite Dr. Adel, Commissioner Glass, and Commissioner Friedman to address this.

Leg. Swanson moved to adjourn, seconded by Leg. Bronz. All in favor [3-0] The meeting ended at 3:07 PM.