DeKalb County, Illinois

Minutes of the
Health & Human Services Committee

August 1, 2011

DRAFT

DeKalb County, Illinois
Minutes of the

Health & Human Services Committee

August 1, 2011

            The Health & Human Services Committee of the DeKalb County Board met on Monday, August 1, 2011, @ 6:30p.m. in the Administration Building’s Conference Room East. Chairman Stoddard called the meeting to order.  Members present were Mr. Emerson, Mr. Metzger, Sr., and Mr. Tyson. Ms. DeFauw and Ms. Allen were absent.  A quorum was present.  Others present were Cathy Anderson, Donna Moulton, Eileen Dubin and Cynthia Luxton.

APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES

            Moved by Mr. Metzger, Sr., seconded by Mr. Tyson, and it was carried unanimously to approve the minutes from June 6, 2011.

APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA

            Moved by Mr. Emerson, seconded by Mr. Tyson, and it was carried unanimously to approve the agenda.

REHAB AND NURSING CENTER REPORT – CATHY ANDERSON

            Ms. Cathy Anderson briefly presented her report on the DeKalb County Rehab and Nursing Facility.  She said that they are still struggling for money.  In 2010 they had 242 admissions, 65 discharges and 70 deaths.  This year so far they have had 112 admissions, 70 discharges and 40 deaths.  She explained to the committee that they used to get a lot of admissions that were orthopedic.  This year Midwest Orthopedic is referring people to their own joint program.  It is a great program. Most people get to go home instead of the nursing home.  The nursing home used to get all of Midwest Orthopedics’ patients but now they hardly get any.

            The medically complex cases are what the nursing home is seeing now, and these patients are staying longer.  So far this year they have seen 140 hospital transfers.  Private pays $188.00 per day, Alzheimer’s pays $199.00 per day and Medicaid from the State pays $122.00 a day.  Medicare pays for the patient per day and they pay $197 - $660.  Without Medicare the nursing home would be broke. The Medicare patients make up for the loss on the Medicaid side. She said today that CMS (Centers for Medicare/Medicaid services) decided unilaterally to cut Medicare by 11%, which will affect the nursing home by about $500,000. 

            Ms. Anderson explained that their total bed capacity is 190 beds.  Their average bed usuage is 178/179.  The usage that they are at currently is 95% occupancy, or 179 to 180 beds.

            The committee thanked Ms. Anderson for her report.

COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT UPDATE – MS. DONNA MOULTON

            Ms. Donna Moulton, Director of the DeKalb County Community Services Department, distributed copies of the 3-page Intergovernmental Agreement between the County and the Mental Health Board to share Director services. She asked if the committee had any questions.

            Chairman Stoddard said that the proposal is essentially to combine Ms. Moulton’s position with the Mental Health Board Director position.  That will save the county almost $70,000.00.  He said that his main question is, would Ms. Moulton be able to handle all of the workload?

            Ms. Moulton said yes, but if it had happened before ARRA there would have been no way that she could have done it.  Now she is trying to do more networking and building of relationships.  She is trying to strengthen what we have in the community and focus on going forward.

            Mr. Metzger, Sr. said that he would like to have Ms. Moulton come back to the committee in 2 or 3 months and let us know how things are going.

            It was moved by Mr. Emerson, seconded by Mr. Metzger, Sr., and it was carried unanimously to forward this recommendation to the full board for approval.

PUBLIC HEALTH BOARD UPDATE – MR. PAUL STODDARD

            Chairman Stoddard, who sits on the Public Health Board, reported that out of the Public Health Board’s Finance Committee they propose raising fees for dogs from $15 to $17.00.  He said that he believes all fees will be going up. He also mentioned that they are looking at going into the reserve fund if there are any budget shortages.  He explained that the reserve fund is extremely healthy. 

ADJOURNMENT

            Moved by Mr. Emerson, and seconded by Mr. Metzger, Sr., and it was carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting.

                                                            Respectfully submitted,

                                                            ______________________________________

                                                            Chairman Paul Stoddard

_________________________________________  

Mary C. Supple, Secretary

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