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ACTION |
Department Update, Julie Eckstein |
Budget
This year the department’s budget for FY07 went very quickly and smoothly. The House subcommittee voted to pass the budget as Governor Blunt proposed for DHSS, DSS, and DMH. The budget is now in the senate.
Dr. Fisher asked if the department had undergone cuts this year as it had in the past. Julie stated that there was some general revenue cut – the money had not been used in the past for withholding purposes.
Government Review Commission
The Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness and Health has moved from the Office of Administration to the DHSS.
The state is also doing an inventory of 800 numbers – (there are many) and are trying to consolidate them in order to make state government more efficient and easier to navigate for the consumer.
The Commission also recommended some of the department’s programs go to DNR. Julie has explained to Director Doyle Childers the details of the programs that are to be transferred from DHSS to DNR. DNR is currently looking to see if their department is prepared to take on the added responsibilities.
EMS
There was a recommendation from the review commission that the Emergency Medical Services should be licensed by Professional Registration.
The EMS community does not want to be licensed by PR for fear of larger fees. Consequently, the department is working with the EMS community and the State Advisory Council on Emergency Medical Services to establish a fee to supplement the grant they are losing.
Strategic Plan
The strategic plan was approved by Governor Blunt, but the Office of Budget and Planning wants a few aspects of the plan tweaked.
Pandemic Flu Summit
Deputy Secretary Alex Azar from the Department of Health and Human Services came to Missouri towards the end of February to discuss planning measures for the potential outbreak of the Avian Flu.
Healthcare Information Technology Taskforce
Governor Blunt created the Health Information Technology Taskforce by EO 06-03. The taskforce is charged with reviewing Missouri’s healthcare information and technology status, as well as identifying resources and opportunities for more efficiency and cost-effective means to distribute and obtain healthcare information.
The group meets once a month and has formed 6 work groups around the 6 points of the executive order.
Mumps
Among young adults (18-25) many were vaccinated but the vaccine did not take. Cases of the mumps are occurring near the Iowa border.
Youth Fatalities
Dr. Forand stated that recently one of his colleagues had a 16 year old son who was killed after a car accident late in the evening.
Dr. Forand state the hospital that he works at in St. Louis has seen 3 similar incidents already this year and 24 last year. Dr. Forand inquired about any legislation for curfews or seatbelts.
There is no legislation dealing with these issues that the department is involved in, but Dr. Mannello stated that CASH (the Council for Adolescent and School Health) deals with these issues on a regular basis and that Dr. Forand might want to converse with them.
Members stated that it might be beneficial for the department to focus on promoting one issue to the public annually or biannually.
Julie stated that this idea exists in the department’s strategic plan. We are looking at running a Health Campaign each year led by the Governor.
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FYI
The department will get board members a copy of the strategic plan when it is finished.
Extra time will be scheduled in the June meeting to discuss the Strategic Plan.
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Future Meetings |
Director Eckstein mentioned the possibility of combining the two boards.
One way would be to redo the statutes. The other way would be to just meet together.
Members did not think a statutory change was necessary and did not want to lose the senior services element if the boards combined.
Dr. Caccamo came up with the suggestion that the boards meet jointly in the morning and then split later to do respective work for their boards. The boards could look at revising/combining the bylaws to reflect any necessary changes.
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The June meeting will be combined and then the boards will split into their separate groups.
Desiree will email the boards to decide on a date that is suitable for both boards. |
Family Child Care Rules |
There has been some public concern regarding the hazards of cords in child care facilities. As a result, the department has revised the rules. The new rules incorporated more restrictive language regarding cord strangulation.
Changes were also made to assure consistency with 210.252, RSMo – which states that child care facilities shall be inspected annually for fire and safety by the fire marshal and for health and sanitation by the Department of Health and Senior Services or officials from the local public health agencies. |
Dr. Fisher moved to accept the rules as amended.
Dr. Forand seconded the motion.
The motion passed. |
Legislative Update, Andrew Wankum |
Elimination of Poison Control Advisory Council (HB 1437/SB 965)
Rep. Kevin Therlkeld introduced this bill in the House. Sen. Bartle is the Senate sponsor. MHA testified in support at both the House and Senate committee hearings.
Access to Newborn Screening (HB 1477)
Rep. Schaaf has introduced this bill in the House. Sen. Goodman has agreed to be the Senate sponsor. HB 1477 has been referred to the Health Care Policy Committee, which is chaired by Rep. Wayne Cooper.
Transfer of Head Injury Advisory Council (HB 1453)
Rep. Wayne Cooper has introduced this legislation in the House. It has been referred to the Committee on Professional Registration and Licensing.
Immunization (HB 1071/SB 878)
The department is working with the legislature in hopes of preventing laws that would only require children to have the immunizations that are written in statute. |
FYI |
Next Meeting |
The possible dates for the next meeting are June 20, 21, or 22.
There is no one date that appears to work for everyone’s schedules. |
Des will send out an email to see which date the most people can attend. |
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