Regional Community Advisory Committee (RCAC) Region 6 Compton, Inglewood, Watts, Gardena, Hawthorne Committee Summary Thursday, April 19, 2012 Saint John s Well Child and Family Center 5701 South Hoover Street, LA, CA 90037 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM MEMBERS: 28 STAFF/MANAGEMENT Senovia Amigón, ( ) Celia Margarita ( ) Maribel Villa Hilda Stuart, Field Specialist Hernandez Olivia Avalos ( ) Lucia Lopez ( ) Barbara Moore, (U) Jose Ricardo Rivas, Liaison Advocate Rose Barajas ( ) Maria Martinez ( ) Janet Heinritz- ( ) Auleria Eakins, Manager Canterbury, Advocate Sandra Barajas ( ) Andria McFerson ( ) Lillian Rucker, ( U ) Advocate Pamela Blanchard ( ) Zoenese Moore ( ) Jack Carrillo (UR ) Edith Moreno ( ) GUEST/PUBLIC Pilar Martinez- Spanish Interpreter Salma Diaz ( ) Maria E. Nuñez ( ) Shelley Hash- Spanish Interpreter John Edwards ( ) Dove Savage Pinkney, ( ) Advocate Tanesha Garrett ( ) Sonia Mirtala Rangel (U) Brigitte Green, Vice ( ) Mary Romero, Chair ( ) Chair Crystal Guzman ( ) Felicha Thomas ( ) Venise Henderson ( ) Irma Torres ( ) Attendance: 22 Members, 2 Advocates, 0 Providers, 3 Public, 3 Staff (P) present, (E) excused absence, (U) unexcused absence, (ER) Excused/Removed, (UR) Unexcused/Removed Page 1 of 7
AGENDA ITEM DISCUSSION/FOLLOW UP I. WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS Mary Romero, RCAC 6 Chair, called the meeting to order at 3:10 p.m. All present introduced themselves. II. BUSINESS Approval of Agenda & Meeting Summary Today s agenda was approved as presented. The summary for the February 16, 2012 meeting was approved as presented. Report from the ECAC Mary Romero, Chair Page 2 of 7 Mary Romero reported the following from the April 11, 2012 ECAC meeting: L.A. Care s Board and Staff acknowledged L.A. Care s 15 th anniversary. There was discussion about L.A. Care s application to the dual eligibility program being accepted. Dr. Batchlor introduced a motion for a two year ad hoc grant of $100,000 to Community Health Councils to implement and evaluate the Enhanced Diabetes Care Management Initiative. This project is in partnership with eight South Los Angeles Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) and other community stakeholders. L.A. Care s support will help improve the health outcomes of 3,000 adult patients whose diabetes is poorly controlled and who are at risk for unnecessary emergency room visits and hospitalizations, and overall poor quality of life. The Board also approved $1.1 Million in grant money to support the safety net clinics. With all the new programs and projects at L.A Care such as the SPDs and the dual eligibility program, there is a need for more space for all the new L.A. Care employees. The Board approved for L.A Care to look for more office space. Sharon Vickers presented on ethical guidelines for the upcoming L.A. Care Health Plan Board of Governors Election. The three main principles for campaigning are keeping it clean, keeping it professional, and keeping it public. Candidates will have an opportunity to attend RCAC meetings to inform members about their abilities and qualifications and why they would like to be a Board Member, also to have an opportunity to talk about their contributions and achievements to the RCACs, L.A. Care and the Community. ECAC has been holding discussions about RCAC member involvement and participation, attendance, code of conduct and new member recruitment. All eleven RCAC Chairs would like to implement changes that promote member s accountability, involvement and participation on an ongoing basis. They would also like new applicants to feel comfortable about the reasons why they would like to join the RCACs. Currently, there is a hold on all new RCAC applications because L.A. Care needs to ensure that each RCAC represents L.A. Care s Membership. RCACs need to reflect diversity in different aspects,
gender, age, ethnic background, and line of business (To include IHSS Workers, Seniors, People with Disabilities and soon to be Dual Eligibles). Each committee member received a copy of the proposed changes and Mary Romero; Chair reviewed each document with committee members. Members were informed that they didn t need to vote and that these proposals will be submitted to L.A Care s Governance Committee and Board of Governors for approval once the information has been presented to all the RCACs. Members were asked several times to complete the feedback form to ask questions, share their concerns or comments in regards to the proposed changes. The following information was reviewed with Committee Members; Current Consumer Member Application, New Consumer Member Application, Attendance, Member Volunteer Agreement, Feedback Form and Member Acknowledgement. Volunteer Members Attending Future ECAC Meetings: Venise Henderson, May 9, 2012 Maribel Villa, June 13, 2012 John Edwards, July 11, 2012 Celia Margarita Hernandez, September 12, 2012 Crystal Guzman, October 10, 2012 Brigitte Green, November 14, 2012 Report from CO&E Hilda Stuart, Field Specialist RCAC Election Education Conference- Mileage Reimbursement Clarification Only Members who drive to the event are eligible to receive mileage reimbursement. Members who ride the bus provided by L.A. Care Health Plan are not eligible to receive mileage reimbursement because L.A. Care would be incurring a double expense. Chief Of Staff Report John Wallace L.A. Care along with Health Net have been approved as service providers for the dual eligible project in L.A. County. Dual eligible means people who receive Medi-Cal and Medicare. The State will now require this population to join a Managed Care Plan. Transition will begin in January 2013. L.A. Care expects to receive about 10,000 new members per month. RCAC Members will play an important role helping community members understand these changes and assist them with the enrollment process. L.A. Care Health Plan took over Community Health Plan s Healthy Families Members, therefore the State has granted L.A. Care the ability to charge lower fees to these Members. Page 3 of 7
III REGIONAL ISSUES Member Issues Group Patient Satisfaction Survey Hilda Stuart/Group Page 4 of 7 Legislative Updates Federal: The President has submitted a budget proposal which wouldn t impact the Medi-Cal Program; however, Republicans have countered with their own budget which proposes a block grant program for Medi-Cal. Meaning that States would receive a specific amount of money for the program and the State would have to limit the services in order to stay within that budget, if they exceed, States would be responsible for absorbing the extra expenses. Certain mandates in President Obama s Health Care Reform are currently being discussed at the Supreme Court because some people believe they are unconstitutional. State Budget The Legislature is on spring recess and will reconvene by June 2012. The State budget was submitted in January 2012 and the May revision will be submitted a month before it s passed. Member Issues Mary Romero encouraged RCAC members to call Member Services Department to report any personal issues or if they have any questions or concerns regarding their doctor or health plan. Mary Romero and Andria McFerson encouraged all committee members to report any feedback received from community members in regards to access to care, customer service, etc. Andria McFerson reported that she submitted a complaint due to the long wait to see the doctor. She forwarded the complaint to the administrators in her Doctor s office but she got a negative response. During the past ECAC meeting, Andria suggested that Patients are given surveys where they can complaint or express their concerns about their services. Sandra Barajas provided positive feedback about her child s doctor. According to Ms. Barajas the Doctor that L.A. Care recommended at Martin Luther King Hospital was nice and patient and took time to explain about the immunizations and procedures her daughter would receive. Ms. Barajas said her daughter received all the needed immunizations and lab work in one day. A patient satisfaction survey was administered on behalf of L.A Care s Provider Network Operations Department. Committee Members who are also L.A. Care Members were asked to complete a survey on their behalf or on behalf of their children. The purpose of the survey was to learn about patient s experience when visiting their doctor s office. The information will be used to develop an effective
IV. VOTE 2012-BOG CONSUMER AND ADVOCATE CANDIDATES PRESENTATION Alejandra Martinez and Janet Heinritz- Canterbury V. GET UP AND MOVE Activity was not done due to lack of time. VI. COMMUNITY HEALTH WORK GROUP Group Page 5 of 7 Customer Service Program. Members were asked to be honest and complete both sides of the survey, complete the Physician s name and address. Members were informed that all survey answers are confidential and will not be shared with their doctor. Alejandra Martinez, RCAC 11 Chair addressed Committee Members in regards to her interest to run for the Consumer Member seat on the Board. Ms. Martinez shared with the group about her vast experience as a community leader and advocate. Ms. Martinez asked for the group s support during the upcoming elections. Ms. Martinez briefly spoke about her personal life and the issues she is passionate about. Janet Henritz- Canterbury, RCAC 6 Member Advocate addressed Committee Members in regards to her interest to run for the Member Advocate seat on the Board. Ms. Heinritz-Canterbury has been a community advocate and organizer for 47 years, during her time as a community advocate and organizer Ms. Heinritz- Canterbury has dealt with many different issues. For the past 20 years, she has been working with Seniors and People with Disabilities and her advocacy has focused on the In Home Supportive Services Program. Organizing workers and Consumers to get together to improve the program. Ms. Heinritz- Canterbury shared some personal stories and also explained why she would like to serve as an Advocate on the Board level. Committee Members had an opportunity to ask questions to both Candidates. Nutrition & Exercise Workshop Series 2011-2012 Hilda acknowledged the following members for volunteering the past 6 classes; Pamela Blanchard, Marilyn Harris, Rose Barajas, Mary Romero, Olivia Avalos, John Edwards, Dove Savage-Pinkney, Venise Henderson, and Lucia Lopez. Hilda gave special recognition to Mary Romero who has volunteered during all the classes. Hilda and Mary Romero reminded everyone that they received a program calendar and encouraged those who haven t volunteered to sign up and volunteer during at least one class. Hilda, Mary Romero and Ricardo Rivas shared their contact information with all committee members. CHIP 2011-2012 Members were reminded that this year we will focus on Health Care Reform. L.A Care Health Promoters will train RCACs during future RCAC meetings. In the meantime, committee members were encouraged to continue doing their outreach on health disparities. Members can call Ricardo or Hilda for materials.
VII. PUBLIC COMMENTS Janet Heinritz-Canterbury invited everyone to the Southern California CARE Congress on May 6 th, 2012. It is expected that participants will be low wage workers, homecare workers, service workers, IHSS workers, Seniors and People with disabilities. Four hundred participants are expected to attend. Flyers were distributed to Committee Members. Brigitte Green expressed her discontent about a comment that was made in regards to a conversation she was having on the bus on the day of the RCAC Election Conference. Ms. Green felt disrespected when she was asked to be quiet on the bus. Other members felt that the tone was too loud and they couldn t hear the bus driver s questions or instructions. Hilda acknowledged everyone s feedback and reminded everyone that according to the code of conduct, RCAC volunteers should always act in a respectful manner while attending L.A. Care sponsored meetings and events. Some members asked who the bus leader is when the Chair doesn t ride the bus. Hilda reminded committee members that any member riding the bus can take the initiative to act as a bus captain or leader, if there are two bus stops, there can be two captains. Edith Moreno asked that we instruct buses to wait for Members inside the parking lot because last time the bus was on the street and members almost missed the bus because they couldn t find it. Mary Romero reported that on April 16, 2012 there was an event at Fremont High School. There will be a wellness center and community garden on school grounds. Media was present during this event and L.A. Care was acknowledged for their support in this project. Mary Romero will bring more information about the ribbon cutting ceremony. Hilda recognized RCAC 6 volunteers for their commitment during the planning meetings, and helping with community interviews and focus groups to help identify community assets and needs. Mary Romero, Crystal Guzman and Barbara Moore were involved in this important community project. Mary Romero also shared information about the Best Start Partnership meetings for South L.A. communities. The next meeting will be on April 24 th at 107 th Street Elementary School from 3:30 to 6:00 p.m. These meetings are important because First 5 L.A. has funds for community projects but they are requesting feedback from the residents to learn about the community s needs before any projects are proposed and implemented. Childcare, refreshments and transportation is available to those who would like to attend the meeting. Dove Savage Pinkney announced an important meeting at the MTA headquarters on April 26, 2012 at 9:00 a.m. MTA is planning to put a rail train at ground level in the middle of Crenshaw Blvd. Most people are concerned about this decision because a lot of Page 6 of 7
businesses would be forced to close. Community participation and support was encouraged to advocate for an underground train instead. Hilda announced that the American Cancer Association will be providing free mammograms in the community. Hilda distributed flyers with dates, times and locations. The Disability Rights Legal Center is gathering information about the experiences of people with disabilities with public transportation in Los Angeles, including the San Fernando Valley. The Disability Rights Legal Centers would like to speak to those who use a wheelchair or other mobility device and buses don t stop to pick them up, they have difficulty getting accessible taxis and they have been found ineligible for Access Paratransit. They can call DRLC at 213-736-1334 or the nationwide toll free number 1-866-999-3752 or video relay at 1-866-912-8193. Copies with this information were available for committee members. Mary Romero announced a new law that passed in January which states that children 8 years old and under 60 lbs must be in a car seat or booster. The Family Source Center on 93 rd and Broadway will be offering a class on May 3 rd and will provide a free car seat or booster to those participants who complete the class. Mary encouraged committee members to follow up with the Family Source Center. Brigitte Green announced that the Work Source began taking applications for youth 17-21 years old for summer jobs. Youth can go to Community Parks to pick up an application. VIII. ADJOURNMENT Meeting adjourned at 5:00P.M. The next RCAC 6 meeting is scheduled for Thursday, June 21, 2012 from 3:00 to 5:30 p.m. at St. John s Well Child and Family Center. Respectfully Submitted by: Approved by: Mary Romero, RCAC 6 Chair Hilda Stuart, Community Outreach Field Specialist Page 7 of 7