THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTION.
This action supports the Commission Value: "Approaching human services collaboratively and compassionately with special emphasis on the most vulnerable,” and the Commission Goal: "Effectively advocate for and acquire municipal, state, and federal financial support to equitably address health and human services needs of the entire community through a truly coordinated system of care.” This funding will provide eligible Broward County residents with critically needed primary health care services.
Retroactive approval is sought because Broward County and the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) entered into unsuccessful negotiations to provide funding for the Medicaid Low Income Pool (LIP) for Broward Community and Family Health Centers, Inc. (BCFHC). Due to the decision by AHCA not to accept the Letter of Agreement (LOA), the Human Services Department (HSD) is requesting approval to contract directly with BCFHC to provide primary health care services.
On September 13, 2018, Broward County received the LOA from AHCA for state Fiscal Year 2018-2019. Subsequently, AHCA dispersed a revised LOA on October 16, 2018, which did not allow enough time for Commission approval and execution of the agreement by the October 1st deadline. AHCA advised staff to submit the LOA with the understanding that in March 2019 the Governor’s Office would consider a request to waive the deadline and accept the LOA. HSD staff worked with the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs and its lobbyists to intervene and assist with securing approval. AHCA, however, determined that it would no longer request a waiver from the Governor’s Office.
During the Fiscal Year 2019 Budget Hearing on September 25, 2018, the Commission approved the allocation of $137,582 to provide a match for BCFHC to secure full LIP funding. Additionally, the Commission approved a roll-over on December 4, 2018, in the amount of $31,931 in non-recurring funds for BCFHC. This resulted in a total funding allocation of $169,513. Approval of this agenda item will allow for the previously allocated LIP funding to be provided directly to BCFHC versus through AHCA for distribution to BCFHC. This funding will allow BCFHC to deliver 1,545 primary health care service encounters to 515 new patients in four clinical sites: Hollywood, Hallandale, Lauderhill, and Pompano Beach. Last Fiscal Year, BCFHC served 11,156 unduplicated patients. In Fiscal Year 2018-2019, BCFHC projects to serve 15,673 patients and deliver 34,496 medical encounters.
The County Attorney will review and approve the Agreement for legal sufficiency prior to execution by the County Administrator.
The Office of Intergovernmental Affairs/Boards Section, in conjunction with the Office of the County Attorney, determined no conflict of interest waivers are required under Section 112.313(7)(a), Florida Statutes for this item. |