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Public Health Department providing a report on the transition of family planning and related services for individuals less than 18 years of age and recommending the following:
(1) Extension of transition period for family planning and related services provided by said Department for individuals less than 18 years of age through December 31, 2008; and
(2) Continue to appropriately assist individuals in identifying alternative providers in the community for such services.
FUNDING: Realignment fund.
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Fiscal Impact/Change to Net County Cost: No impact to net County cost.
Background: On April 1, 2008, a Beilenson Hearing was conducted by the Board of Supervisors to determine whether reductions in personal healthcare services proposed by the Public Health Department would have a detrimental impact on the health care needs of the indigent population in the County.
Following the public hearing, the Board of Supervisors approved a motion that the proposed action will not have a detrimental impact on the health care needs of the indigents of the County. In addition, the Board approved a motion to reduce the Department's personnel allocation by 14.05 FTEs and to discontinue the provision of specific personal healthcare services as proposed by Public Health, except for family planning and related services for individuals less than 18 years of age. Public Health was directed to report back to the Board on the transition of family planning and related services for same.
Since the Beilenson hearing, the following have occurred:
· Specified personal healthcare services at the Public Health Department were discontinued for individuals 18 and older as of June 30, 2008.
· Departmental staff allocations were reduced by 14.05 FTEs without lay-offs.
· Capacity of the private medical community to provide personal healthcare services previously provided by the PHD has expanded and Public Health has supported its patients in transitioning to alternate providers as needed.
· Public Health has continued to provide family planning and related services to individuals less than 18 years old. The Department has continued to identify alternate providers for such services and is working with its limited number of remaining patients to connect them to such providers/services.
Reason for Recommendation: Family planning services offered by the private sector have expanded throughout the County, including those provided at no cost through the State's Family Planning, Access, Care and Treatment (PACT) program. Such services will continue to expand in Placerville in early November 2008. In view of the increased availability of family planning and related services to all patients, Public Health considers it appropriate to conclude its transition of family planning services for individuals less than 18 years of age by the end of 2008.
Action to be taken following Board approval:
· Public Health Department to continue providing family planning and related services for individuals less than 18 years of age through December 31, 2008.
· After December 31, 2008, Public Health to continue to appropriately assist individuals in identifying alternative providers in the community for such services.
Contact: Kathy Lang