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D.4
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CALIFORNIA
Adopted this Order on October 10, 1995, by the following vote:
AYES: Supervisors Rogers, DeSaulnier and Smith
NOES: None
ABSENT: Supervisors Torlakson and Bishop
ABSTAIN: None
SUBJECT: Medicare and Medicaid Funding
On this date, The Board of Supervisors held a workshop on the pending
Federal cuts to Medicare and Medicaid funding. The Board heard oral reports and
testimony from the following:
Mark Finucane, Director of Health Services;
Susan Kneafsey, Aide to Congressman Bill Baker;
Ralph Copperman, Member of the Gray Panthers;
Joan Lautenberger, League of Women Voters, Diablo Valley Chapter;
Evelyn Rinzler, Managed Care Commission;
Myron Herrell, Member of Rossmoor Democrats;
Barbara Masters, California Association of Public Hospitals;
Joanne Best, Independent Living Resource'.
Following discussion on the issues presented today, Supervisor Smith
suggested the Board express their concerns to the County's Congressional
Delegation. He further proposed the inclusion of a commitment to require
efficiency and high performance from health care providers with adequate financing
to provide the services needed by the public. He suggested that the Board of
Supervisors support an entitlement concept for the vulnerable population.
Supervisor DeSaulnier seconded the motion.
Therefore, IT IS BY THE BOARD ORDERED that Supervisor Smith is
AUTHORIZED to express the Board's concerns in a letter to the County's
Congressional Delegation.
==and
certify that this is a true and Correct copy of
an action taken and entered on the minutes of the
Board of Su Is o the at h
ATTESTED: 9 S
of
BATCHELOR aridOR G AAdof t�
sr �Do"
c.c. Board of Supervisors
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Health Services, Director
THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF DIABLO VALLEY
RECEIVE&O'#
♦,A 0.� ( OCT 1 U 1995
614* ERK BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
CONTRA COSTA CO.
October 11 , 1995 500 ST..-MARY'S ROAD, LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA 9454 283-2235
Statement to the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors
From: League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley
Re: Resolution in Opposition to Proposed Cuts in the Medicare and
Medicaid Programs .
The League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley commends you on your
Resolution in Opposition to Proposed Cuts in the Medicare and
Medicaid Programs . . Many of the cuts are truly badly considered
measures which will affect the poor elderly, in long-term-care ,
the disabled and the young , including the working poor - that
group which makes much of the prosperity of others possible - who
are not looking for a hand-out but whose children do get sick and
hurt .
The League of Women Voters of California opposes the proposed
Medicaid block grants to . the states which will , by its original
design , provide less and 'less money starting with the 30% reduc-
tion . There would be no allowance for increases in the popula-
tion , the uninsured , the poor and in hospital and drug
costs , especially significant in border and attractive states .
There is potential for reductions in disproportionate share
hospital funding as almost happened last year , crippling county
care . California would also be penalized by such a cap for effi-
ciencies already undertaken such as enrollment of more eligibles
in managed care plans than any other state ( 1 million).
The League of California supports constraining medical costs but
the first priority must be universal access to care whether under
Medicare or Medicaid .
The LWVUS believes after study that ' every US resident should
have access to a basic level of care that includes the prevention
of disease , health promotion and education, primary care, acute
care , LTC, and mental health care" and that .. limited resources
be allocated based on the following criteria considered together :
the urgency of the medical condition , the life expectancy of the
patient , the expected outcome of the treatment , the cost of the
procedure , the duration of care , the quality of life of the
patient after treatment and the wishes of the patient and the
family . " The LWVDV agrees .
In conclusion , LWVC and LWVDV strongly support this opposition to
Congress balancing the budget at the expense of the vulnerable
populations - whether or not further tax breaks are' then provided
to the wealthy :
Alamo • Antioch • Bethel Island • Brentwood Byron Canyon • Clayton + Concord Danville • Diablo • Lafayette
Martinez • Moraga • Oakley • Orinda • Pacheco • Pittsburg • Pleasant Hill ' Rossmoor • San Ramon • Walnut Creek
THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS OF DIABLO VALLEY
RECEIVED
OCT I U 1995
'IVA K BOARD Oos
SUPERVI I ORS
October 11 , 1995. __ _ � ....500 ST. MARY'S ROAD, LAFAYETTE, CALIFORNIA 94549 OSTA CO.
Statement to .the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors
From: League of Women Voters of Diablo Valley
Re: Resolution in Opposition to Proposed Cuts in the Medicare and
Medicaid Programs . ,
TheLeague of Women 'Voters of Diablo Valley commends you on your
Resolution in Opposition to Proposed Cuts in the Medicare and
Medicaid Programs. Many of the cuts are truly badly considered
measures which will affect the poor elderly in long-term-care,
the disabled and the young , including the working poor - that
group which makes much of the prosperity of others possible - who
are not looking for a hand-out but whose children do get sick and
hurt .
The League of Women Voters of California opposes the proposed
Medicaid block grants to the states which will , by its original
design , provide less and less money starting with the 30% reduc-
tion . There would be no allowance for increases in the popula-
tion , the uninsured , the poor and in hospital and drug
costs , especially significant in border and attractive states .
There is potential for reductions , in . disproportionate share
hospital funding as almost happened last year , crippling county
care . California would also be penalized by such a cap for effi-
ciencies already undertaken such as enrollment of more eligibles
in managed care plans than any other state ( 1 million) .
The League of California supports constraining medical costs but
the first priority must be universal access to care whether under
Medicare or Medicaid.
The LWVUS believes after study that every US resident should
have access to a basic level of care that includes the prevention
of disease , health promotion and education , primary care , acute
care , LTC, and mental health care" and that " limited resources
be allocated based on the following criteria considered together :
the urgency of the medical condition , the life expectancy of the
patient , the expected outcome of the treatment , the cost of the
procedure , the duration of care , the quality of life of the
patient after treatment and the wishes of the patient and the
family . " The LWVDV agrees.
In conclusion , LWVC and LWVDV strongly support this opposition to
Congress balancing the budget at the expense of the vulnerable
populations - whether or not further tax I breaks are then provided
to the wealthy .
Alamo - Antioch - Bethel Island I Brentwood Byron Canyon 0 Clayton 9 Concord 0 Danville ' Diablo - Lafayette
Martinez * Moraga # Oakley I Orinda # Pacheco - Pittsburg - Pleasant Hill * Rossmoor - San Ramon - Walnut Creek