HomeMy WebLinkAboutMAR 22 2017 MINUTES
Deschutes County Health Services
Public Health Advisory Board
MINUTES
MINUTES
March 22, 2017
12:00 – 1:30pm
Stan Owen, DCHS Building
2577 NE Courtney Drive, Bend
Facilitator Kate Wells, Chair
Staff Coordinator Tom Kuhn, Community Health Manager
Scribe Lisa Michael
Next Meeting April 26, 2017, Health Services – Stan Owen
Topic and Lead
Health Heroes Awards
To start things off, Dr. Conway thanked everyone for attending and gave a speech about what
it means to be a hero. Next, Kate Wells spoke and offered her congratulations to the award
winners. This is the first time in the 10 years of handing out awards that two individuals were
nominated. The individual winners this year are Rebeckah Berry and Dr. Kimberly Swanson,
while the group award went to BestCare Treatment Services. Rebeckah, who voted for Dr.
Kimberly Swanson, stood up to speak about Kimberly’s experience and accomplishments. Dr.
Swanson then followed up with her own speech. Donna Mills, Executive Director of the COHC,
nominated Rebeckah Berry and spoke about all the wonderful work she has been doing for
their organization. Rebeckah, who also nominated BestCare Treatment Services, recognized
their efforts in wrap around services, expansion of the needle exchange program and a new
pilot program through St. Charles for pregnant women on opioids. Oregon has the highest
opioid overdose rate in the nation with an average of 3 deaths per week. Bestcare Executive
Director, Rick Treleaven, spoke about his extensive experience in the field and mentioned that
drug abuse is not only a criminal justice or moral issue anymore, it’s a major public health
problem now that is in desperate need of attention.
Approval of February Meeting Minutes
Steve motioned to approve the February minutes as submitted with a second from Charles.
The Board voted to approve unanimously.
Brief Announcements & Unfinished Business
Tom announced that Holly Remer gave notice that she is resigning from the Board effective
immediately. Tom also welcomed Tami Pike from Bend La Pine School District who is attending
today’s meeting for possible membership on the Board.
Tom spoke about SB 754, Tobacco 21, which is a bill prohibiting retail tobacco sales to anyone
under age 21. As of today, the bill is on the senate desk awaiting a third reading tomorrow.
This law has already passed in several other states.
“To promote and protect the health and safety of our community.” Updated 8/4/20
Jim asked about HB 2518 proposed by State Representative Knute Buehler. The bill adds
Naloxone to the prescription drug monitoring program and requires pharmacies to report de-
identified information to the program upon dispensing it. In a separate section of the bill, it
also authorizes identified data sharing with directors of clinics, hospital and pharmacies for
“overseeing operations” and “quality health care” purposes. Jim asked if this bill is up for a
hearing yet and if not, can we earmark it for discussion when it does comes up? Tom and Kate
mentioned executive summaries are available and CLHO gives weekly updates on legislation.
Commissioner Baney also said there are county lobbyists that can pass information along to
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PHAB. The deadline to schedule a hearing is April 7 or the bill just dies; however, the bill can
also become attached to another similar bill and be reintroduced.
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HB 3230 was submitted on March 2 and dedicates money from the general fund to the Safe
Routes to Schools program. If for some reason this bill does not pass, it may become attached
to a transportation bill sometime in the future. Tom mentioned that HB 2310 (modernization)
is up for public hearing next week and that he will follow up on all these bills and report back.
The Board discussed if we are prepared for a major incident and how will we support Jefferson
and Crook Counties if there is an outbreak of any kind. Also, what about changes and funding
for the Affordable Care Act? Is funding a core part of the legislative process and how much will
it cost to implement? Hillary said that BH is aligned to serve Medicaid clients and right now
there are 16 CCO’s that were designed to look like our model, but unless there is some major
restructuring, they will fail. Revenue is being saved in the wrong areas and should go to help
the community if not being utilized in the proper programs.
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March 8 Commissioners Meeting Discussion
Dr. Conway, Kate, Tom, Jim, Charles and Rebeckah met with the BOCC on March 8th. Tom
made up an agenda to present to the BOCC summarizing his key points combined with those of
the PHAB members. In the past, contact with the BOCC has been made through Tom and Dr.
Conway. Tom spoke about better ways to communicate with the BOCC and address issues in a
timely manner since PHAB only meets once a month. Can we use email as a source of
communication between the two boards especially on hot topics? The BOCC replied by stating
that weekly commissioner updates are recommended as a method for timely communication
through Dr. Conway and Tom Anderson. There are two ways to accomplish a leadership
board. One is by keeping in contact with the BOCC, and the other is by forming a committee
for committed members and staff to come together and report on their findings, thus forming a
triangle effect (staff, PHAB and BOCC). The members spoke about the protocol for supporting
a cause. We are not allowed to advocate publicly unless approved by the BOCC since they are
ultimately liable as the County Health Board. Most likely the BOCC will need education on
matters we explore before making their decision to support or not. The BOCC has taken an
interest in global population and is focusing on fiscal matters. Their intent is to make the
decisions and have PHAB endorse them. Jim spoke about COHC and how PHAB should not
take a secondary seat to them but rather collaborate as a group since we may have different
ideas and perspectives. We should also coordinate with Crook and Jefferson Counties for their
input on vital matters that affect all three counties since neither jurisdiction have a PH advisory
board.
Tom announced we will continue this discussion at the next meeting.
“To promote and protect the health and safety of our community.” Updated 8/4/20
Action Items:
Review legislation
Revisit items on BOCC discussion that we did not get to
Adjourn 1:35 p.m.
Board Members Present: Kate Wells, Keith Winsor, Charles Frazier, Steve Strang, Jim Powell,
Robert Ross, and Charla DeHate
Staff Members Present: Tom Kuhn, Dr. George Conway, Hillary Saraceno, Pamela Ferguson,
and Lisa Michael
Honorees: Dr. Kimberly Swanson (St. Charles), Rebeckah Berry (COHC/PHAB), Rick Treleaven
(BestCare Treatment Services)
Guest(s): County Commissioners Tammy Baney, Phil Henderson and Tony DeBone, Donna
Mills, Greg Swanson, MaCayla Arsenault, Heather Kaisner, Tami Pike, and Dr. Scott Safford
COHC – Central Oregon Health Council SB – Senate Bill
HB – House Bill CLHO – Council of Local Health Officials
BH – Behavioral Health CCO’s – Coordinated Care Organizations
BOCC – Board of County Commissioners PHAB – Public Health Advisory Board
“To promote and protect the health and safety of our community.” Updated 8/4/20