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Chief Administrative Office, Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Preparedness and Response Division, recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Amendment I to Memorandum of Understanding 266-S1410 (FENIX 506 & 3034) with Barton Healthcare System and Marshall Medical Center for the disbursement of Richie's Funds from the County's EMS Fund, extending the term for 3 years and updating the authorization from the Director of the Health and Human Services Agency to the Emergency Medical Services Agency Administrator.
FUNDING: EMS Fund.
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DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Maddy Emergency Medical Services Fund is a special revenue fund that was established pursuant to Health and Safety Code § 1797.98a. The EMS Fund receives court penalty assessments which are used to reimburse physicians and surgeons the cost of uncompensated emergency care and to provide for other EMS expenses. The EMS Fund includes a sub-fund, the Richie's Fund, which is dedicated to funding pediatric trauma centers, or in counties without a pediatric trauma center, improving access to pediatric trauma and emergency services. On December 15, 2020, the Board approved the transfer of responsibility of the EMS Fund from the Health and Human Services Agency to the Chief Administrative Office, Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Preparedness and Response Division (Legistar #20-1510). At that time, it was noted that an amendment to the existing MOU would be required to effect the change, and would be presented to the Board at a later date.
The Board approved MOU 266-S1410 on March 10, 2015 (Legistar #15-0210) as a funding agreement with Barton Healthcare System and Marshall Medical Center for the distribution of available Richie's Funds to the two hospitals to improve access to, and coordination of, pediatric trauma and emergency services in the County, pursuant to HSC § 1797.98a and Resolution 192-2007.
The original agreement terminates on March 1, 2021. The proposed Amendment I extends the term to March 1, 2024, and substitutes all references to the Health and Human Services Agency to the Chief Administrative Office. Additionally, the MOU requires that the proposals by the hospitals are reviewed and approved by the Director of the Health and Human Services Agency. Amendment I will designate the Emergency Medical Services Agency Administrator, within the Chief Administrative Office, as the approver.
ALTERNATIVES
Amendment I is proposed in order to effectively transfer administration of the EMS Fund to the CAO's Office, pursuant to prior direction.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
See Discussion / Background.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The proposed Amendment I does not have any financial impact. The Richie's Funds disbursed by this MOU are designated to be used to improve access to, and coordination of, pediatric trauma and emergency services in the County. The MOU restricts funding to $30,000 per year, per recipient, but not to exceed actual Richie's Funds available. The total distributed to the hospitals for pediatric trauma in FY 2019-20 was approximately $17,000.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
Obtain Chair's signature on Amendment I
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Healthy Communities
CONTACT
Sue Hennike, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer