HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 09261995 - D10 IN THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, STATE OF CALIFORNIA
Resolution in Opposition to Proposed Cuts)
in the Medicare and Medicaid Programs )
Resolution No. 95/ 432
WHEREAS, current proposals by the United States Congress contained in the Concurrent
Resolution on the Budget include drastic reductions in the financing of Medicare ($270 billion
cutback) and Medicaid ($182 billion cutback), and
WHEREAS, these program cuts, if enacted, are likely to decrease expected federal money to
California by more than $44.1 billion over the next seven years, and
WHEREAS, Californians who have no health care coverage at all now number more than 6.5
million; Californians on Medi-Cal number over 4 million; and Californians aged over 65 is one
of the fastest growing segments of our society, and
WHEREAS, the economy of Contra Costa County stands to lose projected revenues from
Medicare (over $756 million) and Medicaid (over $246 million), according to analysis by the
Health Access Foundation, and
WHEREAS, this is a conservative estimate, not including potential reductions in disproportionate
share hospital funding, nor probable growth of local eligible populations over the next seven years,
nor potential doubling of Medicaid losses because the State of California may fail to maintain the
level of effort in the Medi-Cal Program, and
WHEREAS, under Congress's currrent proposal, 50% of the savings generated by the program
cuts would benefit Americans with incomes over $100,000, and
WHEREAS, the block granting of Medicaid would mean those eligible for benefits would not be
entitled to them and the State would define eligibility criteria and benefit levels without the
federal mandate to cover vulnerable populations such as low-income children, elderly, and people
with disabilities, and
WHEREAS, cuts in eligibility for Medicaid, which serves children, the disabled, and elderly,
would force the State to eliminate coverage for as many as 1.2 million recipients in 2002, and
WHEREAS, nearly 25% of the people living in the Contra Costa County are estimated to be
eligible to receive benefits from the Medicare or Medicaid programs, and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County has developed a comprehensive and integrated health care
system which is recognized by national policymakers as a "model' system, and
WHEREAS, the excellence of the County's health care system is reflected by a number of major
accomplishments and acknowledgments, including national recognition for the development of a
community-based Action Plan for Violence Prevention, selection by the Robert Wood Johnson
Foundation to develop the Family Maintenance Organization, and recognition as the first and only
county in California to achieve the federal year 2000 goals for reducing the rate of infant
mortality among African Americans, and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County, through operation of its own health maintenance organization,
the Contra Costa Health Plan, has more than two decades of experience in managed care and has
been a leader in the delivery of managed care services with a list of innovations, including a 24-
hour toll-free Advice Nurse telephone service, special premiums for children and young adults,
and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County recently received a special grant award from the U.S. Health
Care Financing Administration to develop a Social HMO Demonstration Project offering
Medicare beneficiaries and seniors on Medi-Cal the opportunity to receive a wide range of
services to meet both acute and long-term needs in a managed care program, and
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WHEREAS, Contra Costa County, as the health care safety-net provider of last resort for the
county's vulnerable populations, is uniquely reliant on governmental funding sources, and
WHEREAS, the magnitude of the proposed cuts could force closure of area hospitals, health
centers, and independent practices which are heavily dependent on federal funding, and
WHEREAS, the level of open and public debate regarding the proposed Medicare and Medicaid
cuts has been, to date, relatively limited, particularly when viewed in contrast to the long debate
over President Clinton's Health Security Act,
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of the County of Contra
Costa that the County of Contra Costa opposes legislative action that would dramatically and
arbitrarily cut the Medicare and Medicaid programs and break the nation's social contract with
the poor, the elderly and people with disabilities, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the County of Contra Costa opposes the conversion of the Medicaid
entitlement to a block grant program and supports federal quality and accessibility standards to
protect the public interest, and be it further
RESOLVED, that while the Board of Supervisors acknowledges there is a need for reform in the
nation''§ health care system and is willing to contribute to the process of identifying and
implementing needed change, the Board opposes the current attempt to balance the budget at
the expense of Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries in order to provide a tax break to wealthier
Americans, and be it further
RESOLVED, that the Board of Supervisors plans to hold public hearings regarding the proposed
cuts in the Medicare and Medicaid programs to include broad community participation including
Medicare and Medi-Cal beneficiaries; physicians, nurses and other health care providers;
representatives from hospitals, health centers, and non-profit organizations; family members of
especially vulnerable beneficiaries (i.e., nursing homes residents); members of Contra Costa's
federal Congressional delegation; and any other interested parties, and be it further
RESOLVED, the Board of Supervisors direct its resources to publicize the aforementioned
positions and plans.
PASSED AND ADOPTED on September 26, 1995, by 4/_S'.s -_, vote of the Board of
Supervisors present:
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G yle Bishop, Ch it
LAAA (Voted No)
Jim o s Mark DeSaulnier
lont /97Z
e f Smith Tom Torlakson
I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of an order entered on the Minutes of the Board of
Supervisors on the aforesaid date.
Witness my hand and the Seal of the Board of Supervisors affixed this 26th day of September, 1995.
PHIL BATCHELOR, Clerk of the Board of
Supervisors and County Administrator
by
D uty Clerk