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October has been a busy and challenging month for the Association and Healthcare Districts. Members of the ACHD Board participated in their Strategic Planning Retreat the first week of October in San Diego. The purpose of the retreat was to update ACHD's long range plan and strategic framework for the future.
As most of you may already know, in response to the growing tide of consolidation in health care as well as cyclical market conditions, the Boards of ACHD, the ALPHA Fund, a self-insured workers' compensation program, and BETA Healthcare Group Risk Management Authority (BETA), a self-insured healthcare professional liability program, have approved a merger that will combine ALPHA and BETA into a single entity. BETA was initially established in 1979 by ACHD before it became an independent JPA in 1989. The merger has been approved by a majority of the members of both organizations and is expected to close in early January 2017.
The Board reviewed the following elements of this historic Merger:
The ACHD/ALPHA/BETA Agreement of Merger provides ACHD with three separate but significant sources of funding for ACHD. Taken together, the financial benefit of the merger to ACHD ranges from approximately $9.4 million to $10.9 million through 2024. These additional contributions are in addition to and exclusive of annual ACHD member dues and other Association revenues. The three additional sources of support are outlined below:
1. A One-time payment on January 3, 2017 by BETA to ACHD in the amount of $4.2 million.
2. Separate Annual payments of an ongoing Support Fee through 2024. The value of the Support
Fee ranges from $3.7 million to approximately $5.2 million. There is a minimum payment as well as an opportunity for growth. This is addressed through a separate but existing
Administrative Services Agreement between ACHD/ALPHA Fund that was incorporated into and is the responsibility of BETA after the Merger.
3. BETA will also provide ACHD with "in kind" administrative, management, and technology
services through 2024. The value of the administrative, management and technology services is
estimated to be approximately $1.5 million over the eight year term.
Upon completion of the merger on January 3, 2017, ACHD will have approximately $6.2 million in reserves in both cash and investments (which is the equivalent to approximately 5 years' operating expense) as well as ongoing supplemental sources of support for operations through 2024.
The Merger provides ACHD with sufficient resources to allow the Association to strategically reposition itself to become even more valuable to our member Healthcare Districts and to develop other relationships and means of support after 2024. Many of these efforts are already underway.
The Board's strategic initiatives provide clear direction for ACHD to pursue programs and services that will add value, and will be responsive to Members' needs in a self-supporting manner.
New Officers
Congratulations to Harry Weiss, CEO, Tahoe Forest Hospital District and Randy Lenac, Treasurer, Grossmont Healthcare District on their appointment to the ACHD Board of Directors. Harry Weiss has over 39 years of extensive strategy, acquisition, operational, clinical and financial experience across for-profit and not-for-profit health care organizations and systems. He possesses a proven record of turning around underperforming operations and taking well-performing systems from good to great. He is a champion of innovation and passionate about delivering a new model of health care that is integrated, high quality, compassionate and proactive. Randy Lenac has executive management expertise in administration, finance, program development and strategy. After retiring as a lieutenant colonel from the Marines in 2002, he transitioned to health care as an executive with Southern Indian Health Council in Alpine, CA. He currently serves as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee for Grossmont Healthcare District, and is a member of the Finance Committee for Sharp Grossmont Hospital.
Congratulations to Julia Miller, who was elected by the ACHD Board in October to serve as its Vice Chair. Julia is currently Secretary/Treasurer of the El Camino Healthcare District Board of Directors, and also serves on the nine member governing board of El Camino Hospital. After retiring from Lockheed Martin Corporation, Julia also served as Mayor and Council Member for the City of Sunnyvale, Trustee for Foothill College, and Board member for Sustainable Silicon Valley.
Special Thanks
Lastly, I want to acknowledge three individuals for their significant contributions to both ALPHA Fund and ACHD. In my perception, they are single handedly responsible for managing ACHD through turbulent times while being responsible for the growth and financial success of ALPHA Fund. They are: David McGhee, Chief Executive Officer of ACHD/ALPHA Fund, Tom Petersen, former Executive Director of ACHD and current Executive Director of ALPHA Fund, and Curt Jones, Chief Financial Officer of ALPHA Fund/ACHD. Combined, their knowledge, experience, leadership, and ethics are above reproach. They have provided the framework for a renewed Association along with the fundamental direction and guidance to ALPHA Fund. Their vision established an organization responsive to its Members and a workers compensation program which supports both Healthcare Districts and non-profit Participants.
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 In Case You Missed It... Healthcare District News from Around the State |
   
Tahoe Forest Hospital to host Measure C projects celebration
Tahoe Forest Health System is pleased to announce the completion of the final phase of its Measure C construction projects. The Joseph Family Center for Women and Newborn Care opens this month.
Click here
to read the full article.
Seabees show they 'Can do!' for seniors
Camarillo Healthcare District provides weekly meals for about 125 homebound seniors in Camarillo and the Somis area through its home delivered meals program.
Click here
to read the full article.
District supports new playground for all
Sequoia Healthcare District's Board approved an award of $400,000 towards the building of a new playground for Redwood City.
Click here
to read the full article.
Golfers raise $105,000 for Banning hospital
The San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital Foundation raised more than $105,000 for new equipment for the hospital.
Click here
to read the full article.
TT-FWDD honors Tahoe Forest as 2016 Agency Partner of the Year
Tahoe Truckee Future Without Drug Dependence Coalition members, community partners and volunteers gathered to honor its volunteer base for their efforts to prevent community and teen drug and alcohol abuse.
Click here
to read the full article.
Federal grant helps senior and disabled patients get rides for medical care
A partnership between Tri-City Medical Center; SANDAG; and FACT Inc., or Facilitating Access to Coordinated Transportation, a regional nonprofit serving seniors and disabled people, has resulted in a $200,000 federal grant to provide lifts home and to follow up appointments to qualifying patients being discharged from the hospital.
Click here
to read the full article.
Hospital evaluation goes well
The Tehachapi Valley Healthcare District has improved the way it tracks various procedures, and that has led to a significantly better hospital evaluation by Det Norske Veritas Healthcare.
Click here
to read the full article.
NCFPD approves Fallbrook Healthcare District grant
The North County Fire Protection District to approve a grant agreement with the Fallbrook Healthcare District which will provide the fire district with an electrocardiogram defibrillator and a chest compression device.
Click here
to read the full article.
Oral health plan completed
San Mateo County has a new oral health plan thanks partially to support from Sequoia Healthcare District.
Click here
to read the full article.
A hotbed for hospital innovation
The Fogarty Institute, which operates out of El Camino Hospital, aims to help startup medical technology make it to the market.
Click here
to read the full article.
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Register Today for Leadership Academy!
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The Leadership Academy is designed to provide new and experienced trustees and executives with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively govern a Healthcare District. Healthcare District Executives, Board Clerks and Secretaries to the Board are encouraged to take advantage of this educational opportunity.
The program content is approved by the Association's Board of Directors and Education Committee and is divided into five general sections:
- ACHD's Advocacy and Membership Benefits Overview;
- Public financials;
- Board culture and strategic governance;
- Effective Messaging;
- Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs), and;
- Brown Act and Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC).
The information provided will help you utilize the insights and knowledge gained through your participation in the Leadership Academy to enhance your role as a District Trustee or Executive.
We encourage you to attend our Leadership Academy and networking with fellow Districts in Sacramento, at the
Hyatt Regency Hotel
!
Schedule:
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Feb 2
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7:30 am
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Breakfast
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8:30 am
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Welcome
Ken Cohen, Executive Director, ACHD
Tom Wander, Chief Executive Officer, BETA Healthcare Group
Overview of ACHD, Advocacy, Member Services and Outreach
Amber King, Senior Legislative Advocate, ACHD
Sheila Johnston, Member Services Specialist, ACHD
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9:45 am |
Leadership in the New Reality
William "Bill" Chiat, President and Principal Consultant, Alta Mesa Group |
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10:45 am
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LAFCo 101
Pamela Miller, Executive Director, CALAFCO
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12:00 pm
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Best Practices in Effective Healthcare District Messaging
Jean Hurst, Partner, Hurst Brooks Espinosa
Amanda Gordon, Community Affairs Manager, Camarillo Healthcare District
Elly Garner, Director, Government Affairs, Palomar Health
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1:30 pm
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Board Culture and Strategic Governance
Robert Nelson, Nelson Strategic Consulting
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3:00 pm
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Session 1: The Brown Act and Fair Political Practices Commission: AB 1234 Training
Gary Winuk, Counsel, Kaufman Legal Group
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5:30 pm
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Feb 3
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7:30 am
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Breakfast
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8:45 am
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Session 2: The Brown Act and Fair Political Practices Commission: AB 1234 Training
Gary Winuk, Counsel, Kaufman Legal Group
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10:15 am
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Public Sector Financials
Rich Gianello, Partner, HFS Consultants
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12:00 pm
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Closing Lunch
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Costs:
- Member: $150/attendee
- Non-Member: $300/attendee
- Guest: $100 (Meals only)
Registration fees include all meals.
Click here
to register for the Leadership Academy.
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Schedule of Events for 2017
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ACHD has completed scheduling all events for 2017. To access the calendar, please visit our website
.
In addition to Leadership Academy, ACHD hosts two other educational events you don't want to miss. Please save the dates in your calendar for ACHD's Legislative Day and Annual Meeting!
Legislative Day
When: April 3-4, 2017
Where: Hyatt Regency, Sacramento, 1209 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95815
Event: Legislative Day is an opportunity for Healthcare District Trustees and Administrators to connect with Legislative Representatives at the State Capitol. The educational program will provide detailed information regarding the most pressing legislative issues, while creating opportunities for Trustees and Administrators to foster relationships with state lawmakers.
65th Annual Meeting
When: September 13-15, 2017
Where: Kona Kai Resort and Spa, 1551 Shelter Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92106
Event: As the state of health care continues to evolve and the pace of change continues to increase, we wonder: how will our important Member Districts evolve to meet the challenges ahead and continue to serve their communities? ACHD's Annual Meeting will provide opportunities to hear different perspectives on a wide variety of topics, ranging from effective governance to advancing the health in your communities, while providing opportunities to share your experience and views with your Healthcare District colleagues.
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Update From Your Advocacy Team
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Little Hoover Commission
As previously reported,
The Little Hoover Commission
is holding a public advisory committee meeting regarding Healthcare Districts, as part of their study of special districts. This meeting will be held on November 16, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. in the BMG Conference Room in the lower level at 925 L Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. The meeting notice and agenda can be found
here
.
ACHD's Executive Director, Ken Cohen, and Senior Legislative Advocate, Amber King will be participating in the meeting, along with a number of other Healthcare District representatives and other interested stakeholders. ACHD was asked to provide written comments regarding an update on the Healthcare District Working Group and recent Board action on the recommendations that came out of the Working Group. Please find those written comments
here
. A full report by the Commission is anticipated in early 2017.
ACHD Working Group
As you know, ACHD developed a Working Group comprised of the leadership of Healthcare Districts statewide to review the changing role of Healthcare Districts, enhance accountability and improve transparency.
We are happy to announce that ACHD's Board of Directors approved a multi-point strategic plan developed by the Working Group, which includes the following components:
- Update the Healthcare District law to reflect the crucial role of Districts.
- Demonstrate local services are aligned with community needs.
- Work collaboratively with Local Agency Formation Commissions (LAFCOs) to perform their duties to review the operations of Healthcare Districts at least every 5 years.
- Enhance ACHD's existing Certified District program to ensure full transparency and good governance practices are met, and increasing educational opportunities for District staff and trustees.
- Educate policymakers and other stakeholders about the role of Districts as an integral part of the greater healthcare system.
We are extremely pleased with the progress of the Working Group to date. ACHD Staff is continuing to utilize the expertise of the Working Group to implement these recommendations. Additionally, ACHD's Advocacy Team is currently working on sponsored legislation to introduce in 2017. The Working Group will meet again on December 8, 2016 to finalize the recommended sponsored bill to ACHD's Board. Stay tuned for more information on this legislation.
Communications Campaign
Through ACHD's Working Group strategic plan, ACHD's Board of Directors has prioritized creating a messaging campaign across California about the value of Healthcare Districts. We are working to create media opportunities locally to highlight Healthcare Districts serving key populations in the post-ACA environment, creating innovative partnerships, and illustrating the mission of Districts that will resonate with policymakers.
ACHD has retained the firm
Paschal Roth Public Affairs to support this messaging campaign. One of the firm's first efforts is to promote the great work that specific Healthcare Districts are doing. This first set of Districts has been selected based on their media opportunities, location, population, legislative representation, and access to media. ACHD staff will be contacting you for participation in this important first phase of the communications campaign and we encourage your participation and support.
Please contact ACHD's Senior Legislative Advocate, Amber King, at
[email protected] or (916) 801-5207 with questions.
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Update Your Information!
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With the most recent election completed, ACHD has started updating our databases for accuracy. As such, we are seeking the most current contact information for current and newly elected Trustees, Healthcare District Executives and Staff at your District. At your convenience, please click here to complete the contact information form. Please e-mail your completed forms to Cellosea Chilton.
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Whole Person Care (WPC) Pilots: State to Open Second Round of Pilot Applications
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The Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) announced in mid-October that it will accept a second round of applications for Whole Person Care (WPC) pilot projects. The second round of applications is due on March 1, 2017.
WPC pilots are part of the Medi-Cal 2020 Section 1115 demonstration waiver, approved in December 2015 by the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). The general requirements for the second round of applications will remain the same, but DHCS plans to update the second round of applications based upon lessons learned from the first round, which is expected to conclude in late October.
During the second application period, applicants may amend applications already approved in the first round to add new target populations and/or services and interventions. New applicants also may apply. Additional guidance will be provided prior to the release of the second round of applications.
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Filing and Ethics Requirements for Healthcare District Trustees and Executives
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Form 700: Statements of Economic Interests
Every elected official and public employee who makes or influences governmental decisions is required to submit a Statement of Economic Interest, also known as the Form 700. The Form 700 provides transparency and ensures accountability in two ways:
- It provides necessary information to the public about an official's personal financial interests to ensure that officials are making decisions in the best interest of the public and not enhancing their personal finances.
- It serves as a reminder to the public official of potential conflicts of interest so the official can abstain from making or participating in governmental decisions that are deemed conflicts of interest.
Filing a Form 700
The FPPC is available to answer any questions you may have on Form 700 reporting or filing. However, in order to better assist you, you should obtain your "disclosure category." A disclosure category is a description of the types of financial interests you must disclose on your Form 700 based on your job classification or position. Each agency defines its own disclosure categories for each position based on the type and scope of work performed.
To obtain a copy of your disclosure category, check with a supervisor or other designated staff in your agency's legal or personnel department.
Links to the Form 700 and Schedules
AB 1234 Ethics Training
Many public officials are required to take an ethics training course to educate them on the ethi
cal standards required of any individual who works in state or local government. Public officials may utilize free online courses available to satisfy this requirement. Please note that the state officials ethics course will not satisfy the local officials ethics course requirements and vice versa.
For Local Officials
The law also provides that if an entity develops criteria for the ethics training required by AB 1234, the Fair Political Practices Commission and the Attorney General must be consulted regarding any proposed course content.
Several training options are available to your agency, including training conducted by ACHD during our Leadership Academy, by commercial organizations, nonprofits, or an agency's own legal counsel. In addition, an online training program has been established that allows local officials to satisfy the requirements of AB 1234 on a cost-free basis. The course can be accessed here:
Local Officials Ethics Training Course
.
When the training is finished, you must print the Certification of Completion provided at the end of the course training.
The FPPC cannot advise on the legal requirements of AB 1234 because the FPPC does not have jurisdiction to do so.
For questions pertaining to legal interpretation and application of AB 1234, please consult your local agency counsel.
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The next ACHD Advocate will be published on Friday, December 9th.
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