State Board of Health

TOPIC

DISCUSSION

ACTION

Introduction of Julie Eckstein, Director of DHSS

The June 20 th Combined Board of Health and Board of Senior Services was the first opportunity for many of the board members to meet the director of the department.

Director Eckstein was nominated by Governor Blunt to serve as the department director and approved by the Missouri Senate in March.

Director Eckstein hails to the department from St. Charles where she served as the executive director of the Healthy Communities St. Charles program. In this capacity she has worked on committees dealing with alcohol and tobacco use issues, communicable diseases, head injury prevention, heart, health and fitness, immunization, and senior services.

Nancy McAnaugh will be taking over as Chief Operating Officer for the Department of Health and Senior Services as Ron Cates retires. A retirement party for Ron Cates will be held today at 2:00 in the 920 Wildwood Parking Lot.

FYI

Introduction of New Board Members

Board of Senior Services

Debra Cochran, RN will be taking over for the position of “person with special interest in gerontology or disability-related issues”

Ms. Cochran has a history of dealing with senior and health issues as a nurse.

Board of Health

Joseph Forand, MD will join the board as a licensed physician

Dr. Forand works as an anesthesiologist in St. Louis.

John “Bucky” Buckner, MD will be joining the board as a licensed physician as well.

Dr. Buckner works in Springfield as a surgeon.

Annette Slack, RN, JD will be joining the board as “person other than licensed physician, chiropractor, or dentist”

Ms. Slack has a history in health care and currently works as attorney in St. Louis specializing in Medical Malpractice Defense.

FYI

Medicaid and Medicare Update

Margie Mueller, Deputy Director of Division of Medical Services in the Department of Social Services, came to give the board members an update on the effects of the legislative session on Medicaid and Medicare Programs in Missouri.

There is also a Medicaid Reform Commission that includes the Department's Director, Julie Eckstein, that will be meeting with people around the state and will formulate a report on how to fix the fraud and abuse issues that occur with Medicaid in the state.

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Senior Rx Update

David Durbin, Deputy Director of Senior Services and Regulations gave a presentation on the Missouri Rx Plan.

The Missouri Senior Rx Program will change to the Missouri Rx Plan on January 1, 2006 when Medicare Part D is implemented. The program will be in the Department of Social Services, in the Division of Medical Services.

FYI

Update on 2005 Legislative Session

Andrew Wankum, the chief of the office of policy and governmental affairs, gave a brief summary of the legislation passed that affects the department during the 2005 legislative session.

Some of the highlights Mr. Wankum discussed include: referrals for health care services, patient health care records, bioterrorism vaccination program, suicide prevention, health insurance benefits, etc.

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Miscellaneous

Desiree Mowry noted that the by-laws state that if a board member misses three meetings in a row, they will no longer be able to serve on the board.

The publishing of board member's private information was also discussed.

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