West Virginia Rural Health Association

Board of Directors Retreat Minutes

Monday, April 19, 2004

 

Members Attending: Richard Meckstroth, Dave Sotak, Julie LeJeune, April Vestal, Sister Rebecca Fidler, Steve Gavalchik, Rosie Cannarella, Sara Jane Gainor, Henry Taylor, Patty Crawford and Sonnie Strader.

 

Absent: Joe Barker, Sharon Giles, Phil Schenk.

 

Guests: Renate Pore, Drema Mace, Jill McDaniel, Jill Hutchinson.

 

Welcome & Introductions:  Sandra Pope called the meeting to order at 9:10 a.m. A discussion followed on possible WVRHA activities and action for 2004 and 2005. (See Retreat Notes from Renate Pore.) 

 

Cover the Uninsured Week:   Renate discussed Cover the Uninsured Week.  (National Event May 10-16, 2004.)  Date of uninsured event for West Virginia will be June 21. For information on the sponsors and events being planned log on www.covertheuninsuredweek.org..

 

April Vestal moved that “uninsured” is an issue that WVRHA will endorse and participate in.  That Dr. Henry Taylor and Julie LeJeune represent WVRHA on the existing State Planning Committee and develop a Position Paper/Statement.  The WVRHA will disseminate this information and assist in impacting policy development in this area.  The motion was seconded by Sarah Jane Gainor.  All in favor, motion carried.

 

Presentations & Dialogue with Key Partners:

Dreama Mace, Director of  the Division of Rural Health Policy discussed the new leadership and the programs, divisions and services of the Office of Community and Rural Health Services (OCRHS).   Discussion followed regarding programs/services OCRHS and WVRHA could work on together, such as the Flex Program, Small Hospital Improvement Program (SHIP), Minority Health and the Rural Health Conference.

 

WVRHA could assist ORH with the Flex Program contingency plan by acting as a Review Team to decide with potential Critical Access Hospital’s (CAH’s) are funded for Financial Feasibility Studies (FFS) and Community Needs Assessments (CNA).  The process would include other partners as well.  Groups would help develop an outcome plan (input criteria of standardized plan), review data (provide input/assistance) and help develop a strategic plan if federal dollars are lost.   WVRHA would not participate in monitoring CAH facilities.

 

Sarah Gainor asked Drema who would pay cost of meetings and what time commitment would be required of the WVRHA board.  Drema replied that ORH would pay meeting expenses and that meetings would probably consist of monthly phone conferences, with one actual meeting to finalize the contingency plan.  The WVRHA board will discuss the option further.

 

Sandra will write a letter in support of the 2004 WV Flex Grant Application. To obtain more information on OCRHS log onto www.ruralhealthpolicy.org

 

Jill Hutchinson, Executive Director of the West Virginia Primary Care Association discussed the mission of the WVPCA, which is providing quality health care to people regardless of   their ability to pay.   Issues which WVRHA and the WV Primary Care Association could partner on include: managed care, oral health, unicare, insurance for small businesses, etc. To obtain more information on the WV Primary Care Association log on to www.wvpca.org.

 

Jill McDaniel, Vice President of the WV Hospital Association reported that organization is involved in strategic planning, policy, legislative progress, healthcare workforce issues, etc. Priorities of the WV Hospital Association during the past year included:

·       Uninsured

·       Health care workforce (particularly the shortage of nurses and nurse overtime)

·       Protect and maintain Medicaid (first priority)

·       Make sure health care issues are protected

·       Formed a crisis panel IF cuts are made at Federal level

·       Involved in securing release for services in tertiary care in critical care units

·       Provide protection to CAH

·       Patient safety/quality control

 

How can WVRHA interface with WVHA?  Steve suggested that WVRHA could collect and disseminate information on health issues.  Jill said that she believes WVRHA has a role in bringing diverse organizations together.  Also that she hopes WVRHA and WVHA can work together on Medicaid issues and to preserve a funding budget.  For access to the WV Hospital Association newsletter log on to www.wvha.com.

 

WV Rural Health Conference:

October 25-27, 2004 at Stonewall Resort. Room charge is $89.00 per night and includes two lunches/2 dinners. Website automated registration with credit card.  Notebook will be provided with information on all sessions.  Participants will evaluate each session individually rather than evaluate overall conference.

Wednesday, October 27 –             8:30-9:30     Plenary Session/Federal Issues

                                                9:45-11:00            Workshops

a.       CAH-SNIFF

b.      Medicare Policies

c.       Minority sub-committee

11:00-noon            Panel of Legislators

Noon                        Gubernatorial Candidate

1:00                        Golf Tournament   (Phil Schenk)

 

Membership Report:  Rosie Cannarella provided an update on the current WVRHA membership. (A membership dues checklist and membership list was provided in Retreat packet.)  Discussion held regarding sending invoices to members who have not renewed their membership.  Also discussed ideas to recruit new members, such as:

·        Contest- person recruiting the most new members would get free registration to WVRHA conference.

·        Tie membership in with WVRHA conference fee

·        Ask other organizations to include flier promoting WVRHA memberships in their newsletters/mailings/websites, etc.

·        Revise brochure for recruitment

·        Put membership application on WVRHEP and AHEC websites.

·        Mail membership application as attachment to list-serve.

·        Recruitment display at conferences.

 

Sara Jane Gainor moved that WVRHA set goal of 100 new members for 2005.  Second by Julie LeJeune.  All in favor, motion carried.

 

Developing a Vision for Rural Health in WV

Session was facilitated by Renate Pore with the purpose of identifying issues/goals that WVRHA can work towards to meet the mission and vision of the organization.  Renate will create a document from the “visioning” session and bring back to next board meeting. (See attachment.)

 

Rural Health Day at the Legislature: 

Date - February 21, 2005.  Following are suggestions regarding WVRHA participation in RHD.

·       Reserve space at rotunda for display

·       Membership drive

·       Hold reception for legislators (Breakfast,  lunch or dinner)

·       Set up displays on rural health issues

·       Develop key issues to focus on throughout the day.  Start early August in contacting legislators and continue focus on RHD.

 

Sara Jane Gainor moved to charge the policy agenda workgroup with the task of coming up with and finalizing work agenda for Legislative Day.  Motion seconded by Steve. All in favor, motion carried.   Policy agenda workgroup includes: Henry Taylor, Steve Gavalchik, Dave Sotak, Phil Schenk, Julie LeJeune, Richard Meckstroth, Hilda Heady and Norma Bowyer.

 

Meeting adjourned at 3:40pm.

 

Respectfully submitted by Sonnie Strader- May 7, 2004.