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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007/02/20 Item 9 CITY COUNCIL AGENDA STATEMENT j}\~ CllYOF ~CHUlA VISTA FEBRUARY 20, 2007, Item~ ITEM TITLE: FORMATION OF THE CITY OF;)HU A VISTA HEALTH CARE COMMISSION ASSISTANT CITy;rNAGER CITY MANAGER if I SUBMITTED BY: REVIEWED BY: 4/5THS VOTE: YES D NO [!] BACKGROUND At the meeting of January 9, 2007 the City Council directed staff to investigate the appropriate role and function of a city Health Care Commission for purposes of assisting regional efforts to provide a strong health care infrastructure for South Bay. ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW The Environmental Review Coordinator has reviewed the proposed activity for compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and has determined that the activity is not a "Project" as defined under Section 15378 of the State CEQA Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to Section 15060(c)(3) of the State CEQA Guidelines, the activity is not subject to CEQA. Thus, no environmental review is necessary. RECOMMENDATION Approve in concept the formation of the Chula Vista Health Care Commission and provide additional direction to staff for the drafting of an ordinance by the City Attorney's office. BOARDS/COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Not Applicable DISCUSSION The City Council has requested that staff prepare a report and recommendation for the establishment of a Chula Vista Heath Care Commission. This report provides a general outline for the Commission's purpose and function based on earlier Council input. However, staff is asking for more detailed direction from the Council on the following items required for formation by ordinance: . Purpose and intent . Functions and duties 9-1 FEBRUARY 20, 2007, Item~ Page 2 of 4 . Membership . Term of office . Operations of the Commission The realm of health care delivery is complex and intersects private industry, non-profit health care agencies and Federal and State Government. Local governments - primarily County government, acting as an arm of the State, are engaged in overseeing the health- care safety net for indigent people, public health programs, and coordinating disaster preparedness programs. Cities in California typically are not directly engaged in the delivery of health care. However, overall resident access to quality heath care providers and emergency services are critical to a community's well being and are among its many quality oflife indicators. As such, it may be appropriate for Chula Vista to actively engage in monitoring and lobbying for a strong health care infrastructure in South County. Suggested Purpose and Intent The Chula Vista Health Care Commission will serve as an advisory body to the Chula Vista City Council; a resource for researching and providing advice and recommendations on matters pertinent to advancing quality health care to the residents of Chula Vista. Suggested Functions and Duties Staff has identified, with the assistance of Scripps and Sharp hospital staff, three key areas that would benefit from the oversight of a Health Care Commission. 1) The Chula Vista Health Care Commission will lead efforts to influence legislative change at the State and Federal levels to make possible sufficient health care capacity and emergency care for existing and future residents of Chula Vista. Local health care providers suffer from unacceptably low federal reimbursement rates and emergency room reimbursement rates for undocumented immigrants. These rates are lower than the cost of providing this mandatory service and are impacting their ability to remain cost competitive in the South Bay region. The pressure of rising costs and low reimbursement for uninsured patients undermines long term viability of our hospitals. In addition, the threatened closure of Paradise Valley Hospital and the potential closure of UCSD's hospital in Hillcrest may affect the region's safety net and capacity-- further endangering access and capacity in South Bay. Similarly, State seismic retrofitting requirements for hospitals are placing unfunded burdens on hospitals that could have the unintended affect of forcing hospital closures. An active Health Care Commission could provide leadership in suggesting and supporting appropriate legislative changes to State and Federal laws on these and other issues that could affect Chula Vista residents. 9-2 FEBRUARY 20, 2007, Item~ Page 3 of 4 2. The Chula Vista Health Care Commission will assess and provide an annual report on the "State of Health Care" in Chula Vista. Similar to the annual report prepared by the city's Growth Management Oversight Commission, the Health Care Commission would be charged with assessing key quality of life indicators specific to but not limited to: access to health care, quality and diversity of services, physical infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and access to emergency services. This report would be foundational to developing strategic legislative positions. 3. The Chula Vista Health Care Commission will assess and make recommendations on land use policies and planning that could impact future development and expansion of hospital and other health care facilities in Chula Vista The Chula Vista Health Care Commission will provide direct input and advice to the Planning and Building and Community Development Departments on key strategies and policies to enhance medical and healthcare facilities within Chula Vista, thereby providing greater access and capacity to South Bay residents. Suggested Membership . Nwnber of members: seven - nine . Appointed by the City Council . Residents of the City of Chula Vista . The Council may wish to designate certain qualifications relating to health care . The Council may wish to add members from the Health Care Industry and Public Health Department of the County as ex-officio members Suggested Terms of Office . Established generally as four -year staggered terms with a two- term limit as provided in other City established commissions. Suggested Staff Assistance and Funding The City Manager and City Clerk may make available staff and clerical support as requested and is available. To complete its annual "State of Health Care" report the Commission may request funding during the City's budget cycle for consulting services specializing in assessing health care. Operations ofthe Commission The Commission shall follow the general rules of conduct as other City established commissions (e.g. meeting place, times of meetings, selection of chair and vice chair, resolutions, etc). 9-3 FEBRUARY 20, 2007, Item~ Page 4 of 4 DECISION MAKER CONFLICT Staff has reviewed the decision contemplated by this action and has determined that it is not site specific and consequently the 500 foot rule found in California Code of Regulations section 18704.2(a)(1) is not applicable to this decision. FISCAL IMPACT There is no direct fiscal impact associated with accepting this report and providing additional direction to staff regarding the formation of a Health Care Commission. When the formal action to approve formation of the Commission is brought to the City Council, it will include anticipated operation expenses (staff time to support the commission, consulting costs for specialized services, etc.). ATTACHMENTS None Prepared by: Dana M. Smith. Assistant City Manager. Development Services 9-4