Delaware Health Resources Board
Charity Care Task Force
February 2006
Agenda
Delaware Health Resources Board
Charity Care Task Force
February 23, 2006
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Delaware Technical & Community College
Terry Campus Conference Center, Rooms 407A&B
Dover, Delaware
- Call to Order
- January 23, 2006 Meeting Summary
- Developing the Framework for a Charity Care Policy
- Other Business
- Next Steps
- Adjourn
Minutes
Charity Care Task Force Meeting
February 23, 2006
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Attendance
| Task Force Members Phyllis Sheppard, Chair S. Bernard Ableman Yrene Waldron Board Members Linda Heller Thomas E. Mulhern Suzanne Raab-Long |
Guests Wallace Hudson Chuck Lockwood Lynn Truitt Sarah McCloskey John Rhodes Ilona Kirshon |
Staff Judy Chaconas Francis Osei-Afriyie |
Call to Order
Meeting was called to order by Phyllis Sheppard at 1:20 p.m.
Approval of Minutes
January 26, 2006 Meeting Summary – Bernard Ableman made a motion to adopt minutes with the change in spelling of Suzanne Rodenheiser’s name. Yrene Waldron seconded. The motion carried by a voice vote.
Developing the Framework for a Charity Care Policy
The draft of the Charity Care Policy was discussed. Phyllis mentioned that the staff did a great job of putting the policy draft together. Changes to the policy were discussed and documented electronically during the meeting. An updated draft will be distributed at the next meeting for further discussion.
Other Business
Mr. Ableman asked Ilona Kirshon, Deputy Attorney General, about the ability of the Board to enforce a charity care provision. Ms. Kirshon indicated that she has reviewed both the statute (as amended by Senate Bill 181) and the regulations governing the licensure of ambulatory surgery centers. It is her opinion that although the legislative intent (as indicated by the Recommendations of the Joint Sunset Committee to the Health Resources Board and the synopsis to S.B. 181) for the statute (Title 16, Chapter 93) to enable the board to establish and enforce the statute, the statute as currently written does not include a mechanism for enforcement.
To correct the oversight, she suggested two possibilities:
- Amend the statute, which would require the introduction and passage of legislation.
- Amend the licensing regulations. The regulations state that a license is only valid
if a facility remains in compliance with the regulations. Her suggestion is to add language so that the
license would also be contingent upon remaining in compliance with both the regulations and the statute
(in other words in compliance with the charity care provision referenced in the statute).
Mr. Ableman suggested a third possibility: - Require as a condition of granting a CPR that the facility enter into an agreement (contract) when a facility opens that would require them to adhere to a charity care policy and that would result in loss of licensure for non-compliance.
Ms. Kirshon noted that amending the regulations might be more expedient than passage of legislation.
Next Steps
The charity care policy will be discussed further at the next meeting.
Adjourn
Yrene Waldron made a motion to adjourn. Bernard Ableman seconded the motion. The meeting adjourned at 2:40 p.m.
The next meeting is scheduled for March 23, 2006
2:30 – 4:30 p.m.
Delaware Tech Conference Center, Dover
Rooms 407A&B
