HomeMy WebLinkAboutC.054.93009_0485466
APR 191994
DISCUBBION OF HONE HEALTH pROGRANs Mr. Don Carney, chairman
of the Iredell County Board of Health, came to give some
alternatives on the home health program in Iredell County. Mr.
Perry Windsor and Dr. Ronnie Milam, members of the Health Board,
' were also present to take part in this discussion.
Mr. Carney said there were five specific issues on which the
county commissioners had directed the health board to obtain
additional information. A sub -committee was appointed by the board
of health to find the answers to the questions. The sub -committee
took 30 to 40 days to complete their work and at the last meeting
of the Iredell County Board of Health, the group made a report.
Each county commissioner received a packet of information on the
report from the sub -committee. The Board of Health did not feel it
was appropriate for them to make a specific recommendation for an
option. They thought it was proper for them to submit the options
to the county commissioners and allow them to choose the option
they prefer.
Mr. Perry Windsor and Dr. Ronnie Milam spoke regarding the
options they researched. The options presented were:
1. Leave home health as it presently is.
2. Transfer to Iredell Memorial Hospital, a non-profit
organization.
3. Sell to highest bidder.
4. Go with the Cabarrus County model of a separately
maintained agency.
5. Create a joint venture - have a new agency.
6. Use the Cabarrus County model with an outside management
agency.
Following the presentation, a MOTION was made by Commissioner
Boone that the board postpone consideration until the mid-May
meeting (May 17). In the meantime the county commissioners would
instruct the staff to consult with the Institute of Government and
any other legal resources they may be able to consult with, on the
feasibility of the formation of an alliance or a joint venture,
and request that the board of health take whatever measures they
see fit to provide more information on this option, which may
include going back to the consultant.
Commissioner Boone said he thought there are a lot of legal
problems with pursuing the bidding process. He did not think it
would be fair to the other hospitals to sell the service to Iredell
Memorial. If the county has a marketable asset, he did not think
it would be fair to sell it for less than its market value. He
thought since the decision has gone this long, it would be
worthwhile to wait four more weeks to find out more information on
the remaining options.
Commissioner Madison requested to amend the motion to report
back to the board by the first meeting in May (May 3). He thought
time was a critical issue in making this decision because of the
posibility of a Certificate of Need being issued in the county,
which might change the value of the county's service. He
questioned another layer of government when you consider the
alliance or joint venture. He stated he thought the only way to
be fair to all the agencies is to bid the service.
VOTING ON MADISON'S AMENDMENT: Ayes - 1 (Madison)
Nays - 4 (Haire, Boone,
Stewart, Hamby)
VOTING ON MOTION: Ayes - 4 (Haire, Boone, Stewart, Hamby)
Noes - 1 (Madison)
PUBLIC HEARING
Chairman Haire declared the meeting in public hearing session