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Home My WebLink About2019-10-22 10:30AM PUBLIC HEARINGBRAZOS COUNTY BRYAN, T EXAS PUBLIC HEARING BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT i19 i:E,'T I7 P 2: 41 UJCn THE BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL CONDUCT A PUBLIC HEARING ON TUESDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2019 AT 10:30 A.M. IN THE COMMISSIONERS COURTROOM OF THE COUNTY ADMINISTRATION BUILDING, 200 SOUTH TEXAS AVENUE, SUITE 106, BRYAN, TEXAS COMMISSIONERS COURT WILL HEAR PUBLIC COMMENTS CONCERNING BRAZOS COUNTY'S LOCAL PROVIDER PARTICIPATION FUND, WHICH PURSUANT TO CHAPTER 296 OF THE HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE, ALLOWS BRAZOS COUNTYTO COLLECTA MANDATORY PAYMENT FROM NONPUBLIC HOSPITALS. SPECIFICALLY, THE COUNTYWILL TAKE PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE TAX RATE TO BE ESTABLISHED FOR THE MANDATORY PAYMENTS FOR THE 2020 FISCAL YEAR, CHANGING THE FISCAL YEAR OF THE FUND TO MATCH THE COUNTY FISCAL YEAR, COLLECTING $20,000 FROM THE FUND TO COVER ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES, ESTABLISHING A NEW PAYMENT SCHEDULE, ESTABLISHING AN INTERGOVERNMENTAL TRANSFER REQUEST PROCESS AND SETTING DEADLINES FOR FUND DEPOSITS PRIOR TO TRANSFER. REPRESENTATIVES OF LOCAL NONPUBLIC HOSPITALS AND ALL OTHER INTERESTED PERSONS ARE INVITED TO ATTEND SAID HEARING AND PRESENT THEIR CAUSE, IF ANY, FOR OR AGAINST THESE MATTERS. The Commissioners Courtroom of the County Administration Building, 200 South Texas Avenue, Suite 106, Bryan, TX is wheelchair accessible. Handicap parking spaces are available. Any request for sign interpretive services must be made two working days before the meeting. To make arrangements, please call (979) 361-4102. E . 3o`i P9._. MINUTES OCTOBER 22, 2019 BRAZOS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS COURT PUBLIC HEARING The Commissioners' Court of Brazos County, Texas held a Public Hearing at the Brazos County Administration Building in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas, beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2019, with the following members of the Court present: Duane Peters, County Judge, Presiding; Steve Aldrich, Commissioner of Precinct 1; Sammy Catalena, Commissioner of Precinct 2; Nancy Berry, Commissioner of Precinct 3; Irma Cauley, Commissioner of Precinct 4; Karen McQueen, County Clerk. Attached is a list of the citizens and officials in attendance. The purpose of the hearing is to hear commentary concerning the Brazos County Local Provider Participation Fund, which pursuant to Chapter 296 of the Health and Safety Code, allows Brazos County to collect a mandatory payment from nonpublic hospitals. Specifically the county will take public comment on the tax rate to be established for the mandatory payments for the 2020 Fiscal Year, changing the fiscal year of the fund to match the county fiscal year, collecting $20,000 from the fund to cover administrative expenses, establishing a new payment schedule, establishing an intergovernmental transfer request process and setting deadlines for fund deposits prior to transfer. The County Judge called the meeting to order at 10:51 a.m. and invited others to speak. Civil Counsel Ed Bull explained the reason for the Public Hearing and stated that action would be taken next Tuesday at the Commissioners' Court meeting. He said that everyone agrees on the 5.7% tax rate. Mr. Bull said that they will be changing to a quarterly payment system since the Budget Officer is responsible for reports. He added that we need a better system than we have in place now. vc, 2) L-) q pg. Commissioner Berry asked if five days was sufficient time for the transfer to take place or would ten days be better. Mr. Bull said additional time is helpful but we want to be a good partner to the hospitals. Next to speak was Tim Ottinger with CHI Texas Division representing St. Joseph's Hospital. Mr. Ottinger thanked the Court for their years of support of the Local Provider Participation Fund (LPPF). He said that they support the 5.7% rate, the aligning of the fiscal year and the quarterly payments. Mr. Ottinger said he knows that the HHSC is not providing data in a timely manner and the hospitals want to give that information to the County as soon as possible. Judge Peters stated he realizes it is not the hospitals fault with the delay of information. He said the issue is getting the money into the account and getting the amount on the agenda. Mr. Ottinger stated that some counties allow up to a certain amount in the account so that a specific number does not have to be on the agenda. Judge Peters said that it has been done that way in the past but the County Auditor_ did not agree with that and wants the number on the agenda. Bill Galinsky with Baylor Scott and White Hospital also thanked the Court for their support and said they also agree with the changes. Mr. Galinsky discussed having the flexibility to make additional payments when needed. Judge Peters said that we try to be as accommodating as possible to reimburse the indigent health costs, but we need to do what works best for everyone. Judge Peters then asked if the statue allows us the flexibility to schedule the payment on the 15th of the month instead of quarterly. Mr. Bull answered that the law is broad enough to allow us the ability to structure as we want. Speaking next was Donald Lee with Texas Essential Healthcare Partnerships (TEHP). Mr. Lee said that TEHP is a non-profit that advocates, educates and works on LPPF issues for the hospitals. Mr. Lee said that Brazos County has successfully maintained funds to support the LPPF. Commissioner Aldrich asked if the HHSC has suggestions on balancing their workload by quarterly balances and is this a workable solution. Mr. Lee commented that developing a structure will meet the needs 90% of the time. He said that Brazos County shares the same frustrations as other counties. Mr. Lee said he can not offer suggestions but can tell them what other counties are doing. He said there are thirteen I GT entities that need to come together to address the deadlines. He said the more time that can be granted the better. He added that everyone is frustrated by this system and will keep pressing HHSC. Vol. _3Z) Pg. Mr. Bull added in closing that he would follow up with the County Auditor before presenting anything to the Court. There being no further business to discuss the meeting was adjourned. Vol. 2)oq Pg. Q 3g.__. The foregoing minutes of the Commissioners Court Public Hearing held October 22, 2019, have been examined and are approved in open Court this the 5th day of November , 2019, in Bryan, Brazos County, Texas. Duane Peters County Judge S' Catat a Commissioner, Precinct 2 Irma Cauley Commissioner, Precinct 4 Attest: Karen McQueen County Clerk r zzz �//�/ - Steve Aldrich Commissioner, Precinct 1 Nancy Berry Commissioner, Precinct 3 B RAZ O S COUNTY COMMISSIONER'S COURT zzaDAY OF ��,� , 20i9 /,0.,30 Name (PLEASE PRINT) L -'W -rev+ A-�n5 Pg I of / /ifuEw ::moi J� Organization (PLEASE PRINT) Vol. pg, a4 Texas Essential Healthcare Partnerships October 22, 2019 To: Brazos County Commissioners Court Fr: Donald Lee, President, TEHP Re: Notable Facts Relevant to LPPF Administration Since LPPF inception Brazos County has ensured receipt of maximum federal funds available to Brazos County hospitals. 2018 Uncompensated Care Program Federal Dollars: — $2 billion Source: Adelanto Health Care Ventures 2018 Unreimbursed Health Care expenditures by Texas Counties: $366,697,656 Brazos County: $3,249,105 Source: Texas DSHS Tobacco Settlement Distribution data 2018 Unreimbursed Health Care expenditures all entities: $3.661 billion Counties, Hospital Districts, City Hospital Source: Texas DSHS Tobacco Settlement Distribution data Dual goals have benefit indigent health care: Maximize access to Federal funds Minimize funds held in LPPF not available to hospitals Fall 2019 UHRIP Program IGTTimeline ?? Release of workbooks by Texas HHSC 10/23/19 Deadline for Brazos County to receive request for IGT amount from Hospitals 10/29/19 Last day for Brazos County C.Ct. to approve IGT amount before IGT deadline 11/1/19 IGT Deadline set by HHSC 401 W. 15th Street, Suite 840 a Austin, TX 78701 o T: (737) 212-1152 \10k. C G - �1_ CHI St. Joseph Health f TOTAL-_.------ All Four CHISJH $56,876,706 $20,190,325 $3,032,206 $1,081,215 $32,572,960 Hospitals Resource Coordination The Health Resource Center in Bryan is designed to assess an individual's needs and connect them to various agencies throughout our community that provide services ranging from basic food and shelter to behavioral health counseling. CHI St. Joseph Health also supports the Burleson, Grimes, and Madison Health Resource Center's by providing utility assistance, office space, and other means of support. Injury Prevention CHI St. Joseph Health seeks to increase. injury prevention education, awareness and collaboration with other agencies to expand programs/outreach in the CHI St. Joseph Health service area. Local partners include Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, the Brazos Valley Injury Prevention Coalition, local healthcare providers, Texas A&M University Police Department and the Texas Alive Team. Cash & In-kind Donations $1.1M Education and Research $3M e $80 $70 $60 $50 $40 $30 Z $20 0 $10 $0 Diabetes Education CHI St. Joseph Health Diabetes Program focuses on Type 2 Diabetes and prediabetes. Proper nutrition using carbohydrate counting, exercise, blood glucose monitoring, foot care and other topics are covered within the program; grocery store tours and seminars are also offered. Seminars cover Healthy Holiday Eating, Stress Management and Depression, Strength Training and Diabetes, Dining Out and Alcohol Use. Annual Community Investment 2015 D_ Qct 2 2016 2017 2018 Average $59M