COMMISSION ON HEALTH CARE REFORM
MINUTES
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Members Present: Representatives John Tracy, Co-chair; Steve Maier; Janet Ancel; Francis “Topper” McFaun; Senators Jim Leddy,
Co-chair; Ann Cummings; Jane Kitchel; John Bloomer, Jr.; Walter Freed
Members Absent: None
Also Present: Legislative and Joint Fiscal staff, members of the
Administration, the press, and the public
Meeting Recorded: CD 2005 – 3, 4
1. Opening Remarks
Senator Leddy and Representative Tracy convened the meeting at 1:10 p.m. in Room 10 at the State House, Montpelier, Vermont. They then welcomed the Governor’s Appointees, former Rutland County Senator and Senate Minority Leader John Bloomer Jr. and former Speaker of the House Walter Freed of Dorset.
2. Review and Approve 6/30/05 Meeting Minutes
Senator Kitchel made a motion to approve the June 30, 2005 meeting minutes as presented. The motion passed unanimously on a voice vote.
3. Commission Director Hiring Process Update
Documents distributed:
Bill Russell, Legislative Counsel, distributed the above document outlining the proposed Commission Director search timetable and hiring process. He said there were approximately 49 responses, and they were available for Commission members to review in his office. He said individuals and organizations had responded. He reminded members the applications were confidential.
In response to a question from Representative Maier, Bill Russell said the position was open until filled. Senator Bloomer said it was important to have a line of authority, especially if an organization or foundation were chosen to carry out the work. Senator Leddy said the point had been discussed, and due to the challenge of the work load, flexibility had been built in and the Commission agreed there needs to be a lead person to oversee the work.
4. Request for Information for Studies Update
Documents distributed:
Catherine Benham, Joint Fiscal Office, reviewed the above document with the Commission. She said ads had been placed last week, and letters to interested individuals and organizations had been mailed; she encouraged Commission members to provide additional individuals and organizations to contact.
Senator Kitchel said, at the June 30 meeting of the Commission, Charles Smith, Secretary of Administration, had said the Administration may wish to apply for money to carry out their study and asked if the Request for Information would be the appropriate vehicle. Senator Leddy said it would be necessary to have a conversation with Secretary Smith to discuss how to proceed with the Administration and Governance study.
5. Committee Discussion
Documents distributed:
Senator Leddy lead the discussion and said it was important to find a common point of departure on questions before the Commission, both on health care ideas and proposed plans presented during the Legislative Session. He proposed two future meetings where the Department of Banking, Insurance, Securities, and Health Care Administration would present information they had compiled on health expenditures; and hear testimony from presenters on health care plans discussed during the Legislative Session, including, but not limited to: Administration, H.524 as passed House and Senate, Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility, Vermont League of Cities and Towns, Business Organizations, Deb Richter, M.D. and Con Hogan. Representative McFaun added Elliott Fisher, M.D., and Senator Cummings added Jepson Wulff. Senator Mullin said even though Dr. Fisher did not have a full plan, he did address important elements which might be useful to consider.
Senator Leddy requested staff compile a list of plans as well as develop questions for the presenters of the plans to address.
The Commission reviewed and discussed the importance of the Coalition 21s principles in assessing plans.
Senator Cummings stressed the importance of the cost containment study. Walter Freed said cost containment was important, but that it had an impact on jobs, especially in the health care market in Vermont. Senator Bloomer said there was a big difference between assessing current health care system costs and future health care system costs under a new health care system. He said everybody agrees all Vermonters should be covered and have access, but the questions is how? Representative Tracy said the definition of access needed to be discussed.
Walter Freed suggested the Commission review the recommendation of the early 1990s health care proposal and see if the goals have changed and what progress has been made.
Representative Tracy discussed the role of the Joint House Health Care and Senate Health and Welfare Committee public hearings and suggested using the Coalition 21 principles which had been incorporated in H.524, the Universal Health Care Bill passed by the House and the Senate, to shape questions.
6. Global Commitment Medicaid Waiver Update
Documents distributed:
Joshua Slen, Director, Office of Vermont Health Access, Agency of Human Services, distributed and reviewed the above document. He said the Administration and the federal government were still in negotiations, which were consuming his and the Office’s staff, but that they were near an agreement.
Several Commission members asked the role of the Legislature and the Joint Fiscal Committee, if the Legislature were not in session. Representative Tracy referred to the above section 250 of the budget, saying if the Legislature were not in session, the Joint Fiscal Committee would vote on the proposal.
Members then discussed timing and how they would know more of the details prior to an agreement. Senator Leddy talked about the importance of Medicaid as an insurer in Vermont and said Medicaid was part of the health care system (approximately 30%) and it was important to be fully engaged and that the Commission should look at it as a piece of its work.
7. Future Meeting Planning
The Commission agreed to meet Wednesday, August 3 at 9:30 a.m.; Tuesday, August 9 at 9:30 a.m.; and Tuesday, August 30 at noon, State House, Montpelier.
The meeting adjourned at 3:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
/s/ Rachel Levin
Legislative Council