At the tail end of last week's budget hearing, Northampton County Council discussed the employee health center proposed by Executive Lamont McClure. This would be an employee primary care center that would be exclusive to county employees and their families. It would provide a wide array of services, from regular doctor's visits to employee advocacy regarding the health plan. It would be voluntary and offer same-day appointments According to Integrity Health Center,m which would operate the facility, it would offer a return on investment between 1.8 and 2.2. This is based on an an actuarial analysis of savings realized by public employee health centers operated by Integrity in New Jersey.
Integrity Health Center has already made two presentations to County Council. It has also supplied a memo to answer specific questions and has offered to meet, o0ne-on-one with individual members of Council.
This health center will cost $800,000 a year to operate. In addition, there will be start-up costs for a facility ($2.2 million estimate) and equipment ($300,000) estimate.
Before taking this proposal to County Council, McClure considered it for several years and, by his own admission, was originally skeptical. So it's no surprise that County Council is hesitant.
Council member John Brown wanted to know how the program would be funded. Finance Director Steve Barron indicated the expense would be covered by the $23 million set aside for health care.
That figure, incidentally, is expected to climb 24% over the next year, so county funds will likely need to be added via a budget amendment.
Brown also wanted a detailed breakdown on the ROI (return on investment) projected to be 1.8 to 2.2. Integrity has projected a savings of $180-$220 for every $100 spent on health care. Barron told Brown that the best way to get a detailed breakdown would be by speaking to Integrity directly.
Council President Lori Vargo Heffner succinctly stated her concerns: "Large amount of money, great idea, one entity is being considered and not more." The County's Administrative Code does authorize noncompetitive negotiation when, in the opinion of the Executive, this is the only practical way to go. County Council must agree with him. I'm unaware of any company that offers this service and that is located in such close proximity.
Council Member Ron Heckman noted that the savings are based on Integrity's projections. " We have no idea how many employees will use it," he added. "It could go bust." He also complained about the " banker's hours." The best way to determine whether there are savings is by speaking to the five public entities that already use Integrity. As for use, a county survey answered by about 450 indicated support. As for hours, those can be altered to be optimal for county workers. I believe that allowing county employees to use the facility on county time will make it a lot more popular.
I understand the skepticism. County Council is doing its job by being critical. If something looks too good to be true, it usually is. I believe, however, that if someone as cheap as McClure likes it, it probably will save money. And I know county workers will use it, especially if employee visits are on the county dime.
12 comments:
Why does the county feels it needs its own health service for its employee's? If it was a private company it would be somewhat an alternative, but this is a government, doing special healthcare for government workers, paid for in effect by taxpayers.It seems like a conflict of interest and once started possibly impossible to eliminate.
Is the county making a statement that the local healthcare is inadequate?
The view is that a voluntary county health center that is exclusive to employees and their dependents for primary health care would be vastly superior. First, there would be a wide array of health services offered, including chiropractic care and mental health. Second, same day appointments would be offered, which are unheard of at most primary care centers. Third, it would be voluntary. Fourth, there is no co-pay. In addition to being a boon to the employee, it would actually end up being cheaper to the county, by a factor of 1.8 to 2.2.
County Council is doing its due diligence at this point and is asking the hard questions.
What they could do is ask for a perspective from the municipalities where this exclusive health center is already in place. This would be the Brick Tp School District, First Responder Health Center, Long Branch School District, Somerset County, South Brunswick School District and Toms River School District.
Explain how staff at Gracedale or other places can leave their residents on work time. Who takes care of the residents? And where in this world do you get to see a doctor on work time. If we really care about quality services you can't have your workforce at the doctor's office during work time.
If someone needs an hour or two to see a doctor at the health center for a routine matter, that is preferable to forcing the employee to take an entire day off and lose a sick or personal day. This is just my suggestion, not the county's.
You are really selling this for your buddy Spinmaster McClure. Council is wise to question this plan. All these numbers are based on "ifs" and "maybes". Their actuaries are giving you the numbers you need for their purposes. Almost a million a year just to manage plus the salaries plus the machinery plus the building. Or you go to Patient First or Any of a number of facilities all hour's health care providers. Oh, and they are open more than forty hours a week. The holes in this are craters. But hey, just ask the vendor and they will assure you they are great. Like increased health costs won't affect these guys? McClure will just do a change order and shame council into passing it. He will always have his two rubber stamps, but we have faith in the rest of council. The bogus survey was just that. You want to help employees? Instead of bragging about the no co-copay, HOW ABOUT BETTER OVERALL PAY. McClure loves to spend money, AS LONG AS ITs HIS WAY. Just as you love to praise the guy and hide the problems.
To quote your buddy Biden, Come on Man!
So check the County website to see the number of vacancies including Clinic Coordinator, Infection Control, Staff Development, Medical Records Coordinator plus all the usual nursing and housekeeping vacancies. Staffing with 5 agencies is hardly cost effective. Maybe reach out to employees and families before you buy this as a positive.
Unless they changed the rules when I worked for Human Services we could take off in amounts in
hours not a full day. I would use either personal, or comp time for that. Always had plenty of comp. time as often worked late. Between vacation, personal, sick and vacation I had lots of time on the books.
Health Care by the County is just another stupit idea by McClure and his Admistration. Waste of County money, I would not want to switch Dr's and go to a new Dr. Been going to the same Dr.for years and I like him!
"You are really selling this for your buddy Spinmaster McClure. Council is wise to question this plan. All these numbers are based on "ifs" and "maybes".
I'm not selling this for anyone, and have disagreed strongly with McClure concerning wages paid to county workers. I also have no problem with County Council being skeptical. They are doing their due diligence and I give them credit for that. There are a few "ifs" but not many "maybes." The big "if" is whether the county workforce will use it. If they do, the evidence is clear that it will save money and actually be beneficial to the employee. I think it's highly likely it will be used bc so many services are offered with no co-pay. But as I said, County Council might want to check with some of the governments already using an exclusive health center. Brown wants to dig deeper into the ROI, and should absolutely do so. Heckman, who is always skeptical of these presentations, makes a good point about hours. They need to be optimized. This has been in front of CCAP and is now being tried in Lycoming County.
"Health Care by the County is just another stupit idea by McClure and his Admistration. Waste of County money, I would not want to switch Dr's and go to a new Dr. Been going to the same Dr.for years and I like him!"
As I've said, this is voluntary and you can continue to use your own doctor. But you might have your blood work done or get a prescription filled at the health center. If you need a chiropractor, there's one there. There is little doubt in my mind that this will be popular.
Looks like St Luke's and LVHN were caught by surprise by the introduction of a government-supported competitor from out of state. St. Luke's and LVHN are two of the largest employers of Northampton County citizens. They are world class operations. Let's pause and investigate local options that benefit more Northampton County citizens. They seem to be getting ignored here. If they're not, the county should explain how that's not the case. This hasn't been thought through.
Now that the county is doing its own healthcare, wait for the lawsuits.
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