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COUNTY OF SAN MATEO
Inter-Departmental Correspondence
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Board of Supervisors
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DATE:
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July 9, 2007
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BOARD MEETING DATE:
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July 24, 2007
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SPECIAL NOTICE/HEARING:
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None
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VOTE REQUIRED:
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Majority
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TO:
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Honorable Board of Supervisors
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FROM:
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Supervisor Jerry Hill
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Supervisor Adrienne Tissier
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SUBJECT:
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Presentation on the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Adult Health Care Coverage Expansion Preliminary Recommendations
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RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a Resolution accepting the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Adult Health Care Coverage Expansion preliminary recommendations and agreeing to reconvene the Task Force in the fall and receive final recommendations by the end of 2007.
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VISION ALIGNMENT:
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Commitment: Ensure basic health and safety for all.
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Goal 5: Residents have access to healthcare and preventive care.
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This report and set of preliminary recommendations contribute to this commitment and goal by expanding healthcare coverage and improving service integration for many uninsured adults in San Mateo County.
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Performance Measure:
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Measure
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FY 2006-07
Estimated
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FY 2007-08
Projected
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Number of community members engaged in addressing high priority health issues
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450
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450
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BACKGROUND:
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In response to the growing number of uninsured adults in San Mateo County, the Board formed the Blue Ribbon Task Force on Adult Health Care Coverage Expansion (Task Force) on June 26, 2006. The charge of this group is to explore options for providing comprehensive healthcare access and/or insurance coverage to uninsured adults in San Mateo County living at or below 400% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and to bring recommendations to the Board of Supervisors by July 2007.
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Over the past year, the 37-member task force, comprised of representatives from healthcare provider organizations, labor, chambers of commerce, advocacy groups, the Health Plan of San Mateo, cities, and San Mateo County departments met to explore expanding healthcare coverage and to develop recommendations for the Board’s consideration.
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In order to meet its charge, over 75 individuals representing a diverse group of organizations participated in the Task Force and its three workgroups to address key questions and develop recommendations. These workgroups included Health Care Model Development, Population Definition, and Financing Mechanism. They successfully developed a collective understanding and came to agreement on the central factors related to coverage expansion for uninsured adults.
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DISCUSSION:
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The Task Force quantified that there are between 36,000 and 44,000 uninsured adults in San Mateo County living at or below 400% FPL. Opportunities exist to better integrate and align resources to serve this population’s healthcare needs. A strategy to achieve coverage expansion and the goal of a healthier community necessitates a sharing of responsibility among individuals, employers and the community.
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In order to inform their decisions, each workgroup sought the input of experts from across the State. For example, the Financing Mechanism Workgroup hired Milliman, Inc. to conduct an actuarial analysis of the proposed healthcare model, and the Health Care Model Development Workgroup worked with the Just Coverage Initiative to assist them in prioritizing a benefits package.
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The Task Force’s Preliminary Recommendations provide a high-level framework for adult coverage expansion. In addition to these recommendations, the Task Force has identified several areas of continued analysis which will assist in adding further details to the recommendations. In order to consider the findings of this analysis and develop final recommendations, the Task Force has agreed to reconvene for one to two meetings in the fall.
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The Board Memo and Resolution have been reviewed and approved by County Counsel.
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FISCAL IMPACT:
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There is no Net County Cost associated with the acceptance of this report and recommendations.
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