State Board of Senior Services

TOPIC

DISCUSSION

ACTION

December 1, 2004 Board of Senior Services Meeting Minutes

Minutes from the December 1, 2004 meeting were previously mailed.

Lillian Metzger made a motion to accept the minutes. Mary Updyke seconded the motion. December 1, 2004 minutes approved.

Introduction of New DHSS Director, Julia M. Eckstein

Julie Eckstein, director of Department of Health and Senior Services, introduced herself to board members.

Julie's background is in health care, and she has experienced many different aspects of the field during her career.

Julie has recently 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.

FYI

Department Update

Ron Cates informed the Board of the different issues the department is facing with the budget and legislation during this legislative session.

The State Budget

The Missouri budget has been dependent on “one time money” in the past. One time money is money that can only be used one time, and therefore each year the state would begin the fiscal year in deficit because the one time money has to be covered in some other way.

The one time money was used mostly to fund Medicaid and education. However, after all the reductions proposed this year, Medicaid still comprises 26% of the entire state budget. Part of the bill passed on Medicaid reform is to appoint a task force to look at Medicaid and make sure the program is managed efficiently.

The governor outlined his ideas for budget reductions in the state of the state address except for the 20% reductions from the department. Each department has been asked to submit suggestions to the governor's office. The governor's office must approve those reductions before those reductions are made public. The House and the Senate will also be looking to see how to cut the budget.

This will be the sixth year in a row for our department to undergo reductions. The governor, the House, and the Senate are all dedicated to balancing the budget this year so that we don't have to keep going through this process year after year.

The budget must be complete by May 6 th . The House subcommittee has not cut any money from the department. The house floor is yet to vote on the budget and the Senate has not yet made any remarks on the department's budget.

Omnibus Reorganization of State Government

Ron also mentioned that the governor has appointed a commission to look at the structure of state government.

Lillian Metzger brought up the fact that the state needs to look at having a paper trail on the resale of automobiles because they are losing out on revenue.

Dr. Jeffery Kerr also brought up the point that the committee should look at the abuses of Medicaid as well.

FYI

Members of the Board will submit suggestions to Desiree Mowry who will have Julie Eckstein look them over.

Legislative Update

Currently the senate is working on legislation that would move in-home and disabled services from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) to the Department of Health and Senior Services.

FYI

Rule 19 CSR 15 – 7.025

Certified In-home Aide Training

David Durbin, Deputy Director of Senior Services, explained the rule which creates standards for the training and certification of in-home aides.

Just as when anyone graduates from a certain trade school, you accept that there are certain things they are trained to do. This rule looks to regulate the training of in-home aides, so that when a person has finished in-home training, there are certain expectations one can have of their training.

The rule is the first step in ensuring that all In-home aides are adequately trained. The rule was carefully worded to say “may” instead of “shall.”

The training of in-home aides is modeled after nursing home CNA training.

Dr. Kerr asked that asked that under Section 4, D-5 the word “decubitus” be changed “pressure areas.” David Durbin changed the wording.

Lillian Eunice asked if In-Home Aide training could be a part of high school electives. David Durbin noted that it would be available through high school vocational schools.

Dr. Kerr made a motion to accept the rule. Mary Updyke seconded the motion. Rule approved.

Rule 19 CSR 73 – 2.050

Renewal of Licenses

Diana Love, Staff Liaison for the Board of Nursing Home Administrators came to explain the rule to the Board of Senior Services.

The amendment to this rule will enact three major changes:

•  Currently the state audits of 100% of the nursing home license renewal applications. Under the new rule audits would be reduced to 5 – 10%

•  This rule removes the requirement for prior approval of out-of-state continuing education programs.

•  Increase the number of clock hours from a maximum of 5 to 10 that can be awarded to a licensee serving as a preceptor for an administrator in training.

Dr. Jeffery Kerr made a motion to accept the rule. Lillian Metzger seconded the motion.

Rule accepted.

Conference Call Protocol

Ron Cates explained to the board that due to the increase in business being conducted via conference calls, a few problems arose that led to the need for adopting a protocol for conference calls.

The protocol that the Board of Health approved was handed out for the Board of Senior Services to consider.

Lillian Metzger made a motion to accept the conference call protocol. Lillian Eunice seconded the motion. Conference Call protocol approved.

Suggestions

It was suggested to have Dr. Ditmore, Interim Director of the Division of Medical Services, Department of Social Services, attend the next meeting to discuss Medicaid.

Desiree Mowry will check into having Dr. Ditmore attend.

Next Meeting

The next Board of Senior Services meeting will be a combined meeting with the Board of Health on June 13, 2005 at the DHSS, 912 Wildwood Building in the Cedar Conference Room.