MINUTES OF THE

FUNDING OF STATE AND COUNTY HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TASK FORCE

Thursday, June 13, 2002 - 9:00 a.m. - Room 403 State Capitol

Note: A list of others present and a copy of materials can be found at http://image.le.utah.gov/imaging/history.asp or by contacting the committee secretary, Alicia Laughlin, at 538-1032.

1. Committee Business

Chair Walker called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m.

MOTION: Rep. Jones moved to approve the minutes of the May 23, 2002 meeting. The motion passed unanimously, with Sen. Davis and Rep. Pace absent for the vote.

2. Principles Governing Roles and Funding

Ms. Robin Arnold-Williams, Executive Director, Department of Human Services, distributed "Draft Principles" which outlined some suggested modifications to the original principles adopted in 1986. She clarified those changes and responded to questions from the Task Force.

Mr. Stephen Jardine, Budget Analyst, Governor's Office of Planning and Budget, referred to the handout and spoke to the need for more qualifying language for the principles. He indicated that certain changes make the language more flexible.

At the request of Mr. Jack Tanner, Director, Utah Behavioral Health Network, Chair Walker suggested that a draft of the principles be approved and forwarded to the stakeholders for their review. She indicated that final action would be made on the principles at the next meeting on June 27th. The Task Force reviewed the "Draft Principles" that Ms. Arnold-Williams distributed. The Task Force used the modifications as a working document to adopt a set of guiding principles based on the proposed changes to the 1986 principles.

MOTION: Sen. Davis moved, in 1A, after the word "service," to insert "for which they are categorically eligible" and delete the rest of the sentence.

SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Rep. Seitz moved to approve the motion of Sen. Davis and reinstate the end of the sentence. The motion passed with Sen. Davis and Rep. Hogue voting in opposition.

MOTION: Dir. Steadman moved to adopt 1B as proposed in the document. The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Rep. Seitz moved to adopt 2A as proposed in the document. The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Dir. Steadman moved to adopt 2B and after the word "ability," insert "and authority." The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Sen. Davis moved to adopt 3A as proposed in the document.

Mr. David Cunningham, President, Health Officers Association, spoke in favor of keeping the original language of the 1986 principles. He indicated that the wording "the smallest unit of government" is appropriate.

Ms. Patti Pavey, Executive Director, Salt Lake Valley Health Department, spoke in favor of also keeping the original language.

Mr. Lewis Garrett, Director, Davis County Health Department, stated that the Department would like to keep some reference in the principles to the smallest unit of government in order to at least consider the local government first and then work through the state.

Rep. Jones expressed concern if the language would force the state to use the smallest unit of government. Mr. Garrett indicated that would not force the state to use the local level first, if it is not appropriate.

SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Rep. Shurtliff moved to adopt 3A with the original language. The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Rep. Seitz moved to adopt 3A(1) as stated. The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Rep. Seitz moved to adopt 3A(2) and after the word "perform," insert "a quality service at the most reasonable cost."

SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Rep. Hogue moved to adopt 3A(2) and after the word "can," insert "provide access to quality services at the most reasonable cost." The motion passed unanimously.

Rep. Jones initiated a brief discussion of how the 1986 principles have been used over the years. Ms. Williams suggested putting the principles in rule or in statute so that they would always be available. She mentioned that agencies ought to use them in future decision making.

Mr. Tanner indicated that he was Director of the Utah Associations of Counties during the time the principles were developed and adopted. He explained that they were developed around a major reorganization that was occurring at that time in terms of dividing responsibility between the state and the county for certain services. He indicated that the principles guided the whole effort and stated that it is fundamental for the Task Force to have principles to take care of the problems that exist today.

Chair Walker indicated that it is the intent of the Task Force to lean on input from stakeholders and that they are the ones the Task Force is committed to serve. She explained that it is fundamental for the principles to be developed as a guide for the Task Force in their decision-making, and that they will define what the Task Force will do in the coming months. She explained that the principles will not necessarily be used to guide the process afterward.

MOTION: Rep. Shurtliff moved to adopt 3A(3) as proposed. The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Rep. Shurtliff moved to adopt 3A(4) as proposed. The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Rep. Seitz moved to adopt 3B as proposed, but after the word "exist," to delete "and overall goals." The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Rep. Hogue moved to adopt 3C and after the word "government," insert "that provide the services." The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Rep. Hogue moved to adopt 4A as proposed. The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Rep. Seitz moved to adopt 4B as proposed in the document.

SUBSTITUTE MOTION: Dir. Steadman moved to adopt the original language of 4B, deleting "within available resources." The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Rep. Hogue moved to adopt 4C as proposed in the document. The motion passed unanimously.

MOTION: Sen. Davis moved to adopt 4D as proposed in the document. The motion passed unanimously.

3. Health Services

Mr. Cunningham distributed "Local Health Departments Public Health Services Survey" and "Local Health Departments Environmental Health Services Survey," which addressed the required services of the Department. He also distributed "Public Health Roles: State and Local" which compares Title 26, which is the state's role and authority, and Title 26A, which is the responsibilities and authority given to the local health departments.

Mr. Cunningham stated that local health departments have 30-50 contracts with state government. He asked if the Task Force wanted all that information. He indicated that would provide the written information by the June 27, 2002 meeting. Mr. Cunningham indicated that the Utah Code directly outlines the services that the local health departments will provide and indicated that the Code says "may" and the rule says "shall" in regards to those same services. He recommended that an examination be made of this conflict and how it can be modified. Rep. Seitz asked for the specific areas and Mr. Cunningham agreed to bring the information to the next meeting.

Mr. Cunningham stated that the Local Health Departments' main goal is to be involved as a greater partner with the State Health Department. He indicated that he would like the Health Officers Association to focus on the gaps that exist in health services. He indicated that there are some areas where a duplication of services is appropriate because there needs to be a redundance in case the local health departments do not have the resources to provide the services. He concluded that they would like to develop a statewide public health agenda, which would create a better partnership between the locals and the State. He responded to Task Force questions.

Mr. George W. Delevan, Director, Division of Community and Family Health Services, distributed "State-Local Roles and Responsibilities" and addressed the kinds of programs and services available, the responsibilities of, and the funding history for the Division. Mr. Delevan recommended that funding formulas and allocations passed to the local health departments should be based generally on population factors. He also recommended that joint State and local planning be improved by going through each of the content areas on a rotational basis. He specified each area and suggested that similar services with target populations be studied to address the needs in each of those areas. He responded to questions.

Mr. Brent Bradford, Deputy Director, Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), distributed "Utah Department of Environmental Quality Services Survey" and stated that it provides an inventory of services, indicates pass through funding, and discusses the service delivery plan. He gave a brief overview on state and federal environmental services, programs and activities within the Department, and addressed the Comprehensive Environmental Service Delivery Plan Model. He indicated that the requirement to develop the plan jointly between DEQ and local health departments is in statute. He pointed out the goals and objectives of DEQ and the local health departments. He concluded that they believe the plan is working and it gives them an opportunity to evaluate where the Department needs resources. He responded to questions.

4. Other Items / Adjourn

MOTION: Comm. Cox moved to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed unanimously.

Chair Walker adjourned the meeting at 11:55 a.m.