JULY 12, 2007 GLHF ADVOCACY COMMITTEE MEETING MINUTES

Conference Call

Members in Attendance:  Barb Dittrich, Fred Tamms, Darcy Zwier, Gina Siolka, Stacy Brault

Members Absent:  Ron Straus, John Martin, Steve McMurtry, Celine Caithamer

Staff in Attendance:  Kathleen Roach, David Linney

The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.

1. Approval of 6/12/07 Meeting Minutes:  Ms. Dittrich moved that the minutes be approved.  Ms. Zwier seconded.   Approval was unanimous.

2. Election of a New Chairperson:  Ms. Roach recommended that the Committee approve Ms. Dittrich as the new chairperson of the Committee.  Approval was unanimous.

3. Green Bay Advocacy Update:  Ms. Brault reported that the Green Bay Advocacy Committee has met twice.  The Committee plans on developing an advocacy survey to be distributed at the Green Bay patient/family picnic this summer.  Approximately 200 people attend the picnic.  The Committee and the Hemophilia Outreach Centre plan on inviting state Senator Scott Hansen to their current center as well as to their new center when it opens in 2008.  The Committee is interested in exploring an advocacy issue involving EMTs being required to listen to patients or family members reporting a bleeding disorder in the case of an emergency.

4. Wis. Chronic Disease Program (WCDP), Wis. Medicaid and HIRSP Consumer Advisory Council Updates:     Mr. Linney reported that the WCDP $5 million budget will be approximately $1.4 million under spent for FY07.  The reason for  the under expenditure is that less WCDP dollars have been expended since Medicare Part D went into effect and has paid for many expenses for renal patients that WCDP dollars had previously paid.  The FY08 budget has been reduced $350,000, but that should still allow for an extra $1 million over current FY07 expenditures.

Medical Assistance (M.A.) requested that HTC nurses and GLHF review a draft of “Dispensing Guidelines for Hemophilia Products” which includes a restriction on coverage of factor products for prophylactic use when a recipient is involved in contact sports.  GLHF and two HTCs responded. GLHF (after review by one of our Board attorneys) sent a strong E-mail reviewing the legal difficulties in potentially restricting treatment based on state statute.  HTCs also voiced strong concerns.  The state will develop another draft which will be reviewed by HTC medical directors.  The state expressed commitment to making sure that the document is “right”.  Mr. Linney will E-mail Committee members a copy of the GLHF E-mail response.  The Committee will be kept informed of developments.

Chad Renly, a Madison patient and an attendee of the GLHF Advocacy Training in Madison in May, will send in an application to be a member of the Health Insurance Risk Sharing Plan (HIRSP) Consumer Advisory Council within the next few days.  The Advocacy Committee wants to monitor HIRSP policy as it may impact the bleeding disorders community.

5. Legislator Draft Letter and Legislator Meeting Update:  Ms. Dittrich E-mailed a draft letter of introduction for legislators (to be sent out by Madison Day attendees) highlighting our issues in advance of Madison Day and confirming an appointment date with the legislator.  Ms. Dittrich asked for Committee members to review the document ASAP and to forward edits to her.  Ms. Dittrich’s appointment with a state legislator was rescheduled to 7/16/07.  Ms. Dittrich will update the Committee after her meeting.

6. Madison Legislative Day:  Ms. Roach reported that GLHF Madison Day will probably be scheduled for one day in October or November.  She will meet with GLHF lobbyist, Andy Franken, on July 25^th to plan for Madison Day and is hoping that Baxter’s Director of U.S. Government Affairs, Valery Gallagher, will also attend.  Madison Day will include a brief legislative training prior to attendees meeting with legislators.

7. GLHF Youth Leadership Program:  Ms. Roach reported that GLHF will sponsor a Youth Leadership Training Program on September 22^nd and 23^rd at the Country Springs Hotel in Waukesha for 12-15 Wisconsin young people.  Specials invitations will be mailed to attendees.  Ms. Roach will work with HTCs to select good candidates.  Shelly Mattson and Rich Pezzillo of the NHF Youth Leadership will lead the training.  Ms. Roach has a conference call scheduled 7/16/07 with them to discuss plans for the meeting.

8. Employee Rights Seminar:  Ms. Roach reported that GLHF is sponsoring an Employee Rights Seminar video teleconference from three sights (Children’s Hospital in Milwaukee, Aurora Hospital in Green Bay and University Hospital in Madison) to be given by two GLHF Board attorney, Dave Osswald and Michael Kohler, on 8/29/06 from 6:30 to 8:30 that will include a ½  hour period for questions at the end.  Mr. Linney provided a listing of  common employee rights questions asked by members of the bleeding disorders community to help with preparation.

9. Next Meeting Date:  The next Committee Meeting Date will be a Conference Call on August 16^th at 5:30 p.m.