MN HIV Services Planning Council
Meeting Minutes for December 9, 2003
Redeemer Missionary Baptist Church

 

 

I.          Welcome and introductions; lighting of the candle

Paul called the meeting to order at 9:08 am.  Introductions were made.  Steven McIver lit the candle.

 

II.          Review the minutes and proposed agenda

The minutes were approved by unanimous consent.

 

III.   Co-chair update

Paul announced that there are several things coming up in the next month.  We’re still in the process of preparing for mini-prioritization.  Next month we’ll have all of the presentations at the beginning of the meeting in an attempt to get all of the presentations done.  You’ll also see that there are pieces of paper around the table – please use them to write down your questions during presentations.  Mary Doyle will collect them and then the co-chairs will ask the questions.

 

Retreat follow up will be conducted on January 12^th from 11:30 to 4:30.

 

Lunch will be provided today at 11:30; Becky will then be doing data training after lunch.

 

Paul also announced that the gong of harmony is here today – when you hear the bell it’s a signal to have everyone return to the table and continue working.  Andrea added that it’s been very challenging for people to hear so please speak up so others can hear and also, please avoid side conversations as well.

 

Colleen Bjerke from MAP is here today, written information was also handed out to members.  They have recently heard from the Department of Transportation that they want MAP to label their vans with the organization name.  Colleen expressed the concerns that MAP has in doing this.  They will be going to a hearing on December 16^th and will be asking for a variance to the rule.  She asked the Planning Council to write a letter of support for MAP to take to the hearing.  MOTION:  Sarah S. moved Eric seconded the Planning Council write a letter to support MAP’s position in requesting a variance to the van identification rule.  Passed with two absententions (Novotny and Magnan).

 

IV.          Prioritization presentation

A.                Brief data presentation

Eric gave a brief update of the data collected for transportation and interpretation and translation.

 

B.                 Provider presentation, Transportation and Interpretation & Translation

Provider presentations are being audio taped for member review at a later time or for those who aren’t present.  Regina Rippel gave the presentation about the services offered under the transportation service area.  Door to door van transportation is available in the metro area.  Consumers in greater Minnesota are given bus cards in areas with public transportation and mileage reimbursement for those areas with no public transportation.  Currently there are lots of requests – they give priority to rides for medical appointments. 

 

Eduardo then gave additional information about translation & interpretation services that are available for consumers.

 

C.                 Discussion

Mary Doyle collected members’ question and gave them to the co-chairs.  Presenters then answered questions.

 

V.       DHS medical insurance update

Dave Rompa handed out information about Minnesota health care program changes.  Unfortunately there is nothing DHS can do to help reimburse co-pays because of limitations to the MMIS system.  He reported that many pharmacies are writing off co-pays.  Under Minnesota law if a pharmacy accepts a prescription they cannot deny clients their medication.  They can, however, tell consumers that they will not fill other prescriptions without paying the co-pay in the future.  Julie mentioned a report on MPR this morning that said federal law demands that a pharmacy cannot deny anyone needed medication.

 

Dave’s update moved to those who moved off GAMC and MN Care because of eligibility changes.  Currently only 15 have been enrolled in DHS programs, it was estimated that about 110 were discontinued.

 

The impact of the new Minnesota Limited Benefit program hasn’t been fully recognized yet.  There are limited benefits and those receiving services under this program aren’t eligible for other programs, like ADAP.  MAP has been instrumental in providing medication funds, through the formulary, in the interim for those who can’t access Program HH.

 

The current status of ADAP is that rebate funds are now being used to fund the program until the end of this grant year.  A shortfall is projected around June 2005; it’s not clear how much of a shortfall.  DHS staff is currently looking at other options available at DHS and not considering Title I or Title II funding to supplement ADAP program funds.  Dave also reported that DHS will be meeting to discuss pharmacy co-pays and the possibility of those in the prescription program getting a 90 day supply for one co-pay.  Members asked clarification questions and Dave provided additional information when possible.

 

VI.     Title I update – Jonathan Hanft

Jonathan handed out the outline for the Title I update.  The carryover plan has been implemented and contracts are done.  CSAD update – the offer letters for the three positions are going out this week.  Because of the skill set of the three people the positions were restructured to include a research coordinator.  Once the coordinators have decided to come on board they will be attending Needs Assessment meetings.  Michelle M. and Mary Doyle are currently working on scheduling the first meeting of the advisory committee.  Anyone interested in being a member of the advisory committee should contact Michelle McCafferty.  Six field team interviewers will be hired in January.

 

Tomorrow is the all-vendor meeting that will be held all day.  Prevention and care providers will both be in attendance.  In the afternoon training around prevention for positives will be conducted.  In 2004 the grantee’s office will be developing cultural competency training (probably four sessions) and training on board development.  The grantee will also be offering the mini-MBA session at St. Thomas again.

 

VII.   Title II update – Dave Rompa

Dave gave the update.  There are currently 12 people on the Fuzeon co-pay program, 15 slots are available.  The new drug Luxsiva (sp?) will be added to the formulary next week.  Amy is currently working on the Title II application.  The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) is putting out another grant process early next year.  DHS is also working on a different ORR application in early February, to continue the work currently being done.  Duane Bandel will be joining the team on December 17^th as the new eligibility specialist.

 

 

 

A national advocacy group got together and met in New York last week to talk about how to advocate for more money for ADAP.  Dave hasn’t heard a full report yet but expects there will be much information coming out in the next few weeks.

 

Three greater MN trainings have been done with four more being coordinated right now.  These are trainings coordinated by DHS, MDH, Hennepin County and other agencies.  The first three were very successful.

 

The greater MN housing needs assessment has been completed.  It will be in the mail soon and the Planning Council should be looking at data in February or March.

 

DHS also announced that they’ve been able to get the Aging Board in Minnesota interested in HIV and how it impacts those who are over 50.  They are doing further internal education.

 

VIII.    Committee written reports, no action items, time for questions, discussion

Written reports were distributed prior to the meeting.  It was noted that the summary for Needs Assessment does not include the most recent meeting held.  Mary Dwyer reported that committee summaries given to Planning Council members are the same as those presented to the Executive Committee – in this case Needs Assessment had not met again until after the Executive Committee met.

 

IX.          Prioritization presentation

A.                Brief data presentation

Eric again provided the data overview for emotional support.  He let members know that they have the full service area review for this area – the summary is pulled from that larger document.

 

B.                 Provider presentation Emotional Support

Representatives from several agencies who provide emotional support services gave information about the programs they offer. 

 

C.                 Discussion

Mary Doyle collected questions that the co-chairs reviewed and asked so that providers could respond. 

 

X.          Member reappointment approval

LeMonte passed out ballots for reappointment of three members that were inadvertently not reappointed in September.  All three members were reappointed by a majority vote of members.

 

XI.          Announcements, next agenda, meeting evaluation

There were no announcements.

 

Documents distributed at or before the meeting:

·        Agenda and November 11, 2003 meeting minutes

·        Title I update outline

·        Transportation SAR and summary

·        Interpretation and Translation summary

·        Emotional Support SAR and summary

·        Service provider information regarding Transportation and Emotional Support

·        Letter from MAP to support request for variance on identifying their agency on the van

·        Minnesota Health Care Program Changes

·        Written committee meeting summaries

·        Reappointment ballot

·        Meeting evaluation

 

MOTION:  Lee moved Linda seconded adjournment of the meeting.  Passed unanimously.

 

Adjourned at 11:30 noon