Minutes of the Health Commission Meeting

Tuesday, October 31, 2000
3:00 p.m.

at
101 Grove Street, Room #300
San Francisco, CA 94102

1) CALL TO ORDER

The regular meeting of the Health Commission was called to order by President Roma P. Guy, MSW, at 3:08 p.m.

Present:

  • Commissioner Edward A. Chow, M.D.
  • Commissioner Roma P. Guy, M.S.W.
  • Commissioner Lee Ann Monfredini
  • Commissioner Harrison Parker, Sr., D.D.S.
  • Commissioner David J. Sanchez, Jr., Ph.D.
  • Commissioner John I. Umekubo, M.D.

2) CONTINUATION FROM THE OCTOBER 17, 2000 HEALTH COMMISSION MEETING ON THE REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A NEW CONTRACT WITH PHARMACEUTICAL CARE NETWORK (PCN), IN THE AMOUNT OF $6.9 MILLION, TO PROVIDE PHARMACY BENEFITS MANAGEMENT SERVICES FOR UNINSURED COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK CLIENTS, FOR THE PERIOD TIME OF CERTIFICATION IN NOVEMBER 2000 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2002

Dr. Mitch Katz, Director of Health, thanked the Commission for scheduling this special meeting. He reviewed the concerns about the Pharmacy Benefits Management Program expressed at the October 17th meeting.

Dr. Katz also reviewed the proposed compromise to the San Francisco General Hospital outpatient pharmacy services and to the proposed contract with Pharmaceutical Care Network (PCN) contract. He clarified one issue that is not in his memo regarding prescriptions from non-CHN physicians. The PCN will accept prescriptions from non-CHN physicians.

Public Speakers:

  • Iris Biblowitz, Emergency Coalition to Save Public Health, does not trust DPH on the compromise; wants full reopening of the outpatient pharmacy; does not support privatization of the pharmacy.
  • Aurora Grajeda, TransAction, accepts the compromise; urges the Commission to support the compromise; will not save money; private corporation’s goal is to make money; gave TransAction award back to Dr. Katz.
  • Jim Buckley, Mission Center Advisory Committee, is in favor of the compromise.
  • Nora Roman, Emergency Coalition to Save Public Health and Committee for Health Rights in the Americas, thanked Commissioners Parker and Sanchez for their support; there is a staffing crisis in DPH; ER diversions are up; demands more money and better management.
  • Ed Kinchley, SEIU 790, thanked the Commission and Dr. Katz for the compromise; there was no effort made to compromise prior to last week; contract is a pilot project, which will have an oversight committee.
  • Walker Dukes, patient, supports compromise and oversight committee; not as good as it could be but better than previous management.
  • Mary Magee, Local 790 and Coalition to Save Public Health, stated there is no dialogue among staff; cannot provide safe care; terrible nursing shortage; more funding needed.
  • Michael Lyon, Emergency Coalition, stated DPH is willing to sacrifice services for corporate giveaways; urged to find out the reimbursements to private pharmacies.
  • Note: Dr. Katz reported the pricing is the same for all pharmacies.
  • Fifteen (15) representatives from the S.F. Organizing Project, represents 40 churches, presented flowers to Josie Mooney and Nora Roman; support the compromise; thanked the Commission and Dr. Katz for collaborating with Locals 250 and 790.
  • Michael Born, shop steward at SFGH pharmacy, thanked the Commission on behalf of the SFGH pharmacy.
  • Bobbie Rabinowitz, SEIU Local 250, thanked the Commission for its responsiveness to a continuance in order to work out a compromise; has serious reservations; opposed to contracting out.
  • Josie Mooney, President of SEIU 790 and founding organizer of S.F. Organizing Project, (SFOP) acknowledged the work of the SFOP, the Coalition to Save Public Health; worst fight is yet to come; this compromise is right thing to do to better serve clients; thanked Dr. Katz for setting aside any preconceived plan and the Commission for its courage.
  • Teresita C. Gaitan, Local 250, urged the continued support for the poor in San Francisco; privatization is not the answer; no patient should go without medication.

Commissioners’ Comments:

  • Need to look at the whole CHN for access and care; other parts of the CHN need support.
  • This is an example of the voice of the community; thanked the unions, the people and the Mayor.
  • This has been an informed discussion and dialogue on how to serve the City; encouraged continued input.
  • Supports the compromise and trying something different.
  • Supports the compromise and leadership to make it work; use this for future to work together on the Strategic Plan for one Department and bring more money into the system.

Action Taken: The Commission unanimously approved the PCN contract with the compromise.

The meeting was adjourned at 4:25 p.m.

Sandy Ouye Mori, Executive Secretary to the Health Commission