During 2000, the Joint Commission held seven meetings, as well as one additional meeting in January, 2001, prior to the 2001 Session of the General Assembly. All meetings were held in the General Assembly Building in Richmond. The following paragraphs summarize the proceedings of each meeting.
May 16th Meeting:
At the May 16th meeting, staff presented a final status report on the Joint Commission's 2000 legislation, and an overview of the 2000 workplan. Staff also presented a report on Virginia's Brain Injury Registry.
June 14th Meeting:
During the June 14th meeting, a new Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Commission were elected. Senator William T. Bolling was elected Chairman, and Delegate Harvey B. Morgan was; elected Vice Chairman.
Also during the June 14th meeting, staff presented reports on two studies: (i) patient safety and medical errors, and (ii) improving access to dental care. Lastly, Philip N. Reeves, DBA, President, Virginia Health Information, presented a report on Virginia Health Information's activities and functions.
August 2nd Meeting:
The August 2nd meeting included staff presentations on two studies regarding: (i) palliative care, and (ii) long-term care insurance reporting/disclosure requirements.
E. Anne Peterson, M.D., M.P.H., State Health Commissioner, Virginia Department of Health, and Alfred W. Gross, Commissioner, State Corporation Commission's Bureau of Insurance, presented a status report on their respective agency's role in managed care oversight and regulation.
N. Stanley Fields, Medicaid Reimbursement Director of the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS), presented a status report on DMAS's new methodology for nursing home reimbursement.
Dennis G. Smith, Director of DMAS, presented a status report on the Virginia Children's Medical Security Insurance Plan/Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (CMSIP/FAMIS).
August 29th Meeting:
At the August 29th meeting, staff presented reports on two studies regarding: (i) confidentiality of patient medical records, and (ii) health workforce recruitment and retention issues.
Ronald C. Merrell, M.D., Stuart McGuire Professor and Chairman, Department of Surgery, Virginia Commonwealth University/Medical College of Virginia (VCU/MCV), presented a report on innovations in telemedicine applications.
Mark R. Cruise, Executive Director of the Virginia Association of Free Clinics, and John B. Cafazza, Jr., Executive Director of the Virginia Primary Care Association, presented information regarding how their organizations expended state funds that were appropriated for prescription drugs for low-income, uninsured Virginians.
September 26th Meeting:
The September 26th meeting included a staff presentation on actions the Commonwealth should take to recruit, educate, and retain qualified nurses in the Commonwealth. Staff also presented summaries of three reports regarding the following issues: (i) a State Council of Higher Education for Virginia report on nurse training; (ii) a DMAS report on telemedicine issues; and (iii) a Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services proposal for implementing Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) recommendations regarding mentally disabled residents in adult care residences.
Dennis G. Smith, Director of DMAS, presented a status report on the Virginia Children's Medical Security Insurance Plan/Family Access to Medical Insurance Security (CMSIP/FAMIS) and a report on the pilot indigent care pharmacy program.
State Health Commissioner E. Anne Peterson presented an update on an African-American health forum sponsored by the Virginia Department of Health.
October 24th Meeting:
The October 24th meeting included a staff presentation on drug-testing policies in certain health care settings. Staff also presented summaries of two reports regarding: (i) funding of Area Health Education Center activities, and; (ii) a DMAS report on Medicaid assistance programs for low-income Medicare beneficiaries.
Ronald J. Hunt, DDS, MS, Dean, VCU/MCV Dental School, presented a proposal for establishing an externship program for dental students. Additionally, Jeffrey L. Lake, Associate Commissioner for Community Services at the Virginia Department of Health, and Karen C. Day, DDS, Director of the Division of Dental Health at the Virginia Department of Health, reported on several issues regarding the provision of dental health services by local health departments.
Philip N. Reeves, DBA, President, Virginia Health Information, presented a report on Virginia Health Information's strategic plan.
November 21st Meeting:
At the November 21st meeting, staff presented a "decision matrix" that summarized all of the issues addressed by the Joint Commission during 2000. Members made decisions on what actions to take in response to the issues contained in the "decision matrix," and requested legislation and budget amendments be drafted for introduction during the 2001 Session of the General Assembly. Staff was directed to make the draft legislation available for public comment.
January 3, 2001 Meeting:
At the January 3, 2001 meeting, Dennis G. Smith presented a status report on the CMSIP/FAMIS program. Also, N. Stanley Fields presented a report on the agency's nursing home reimbursement methodology.
Staff presented the recommendations of the Long-Term Care Subcommittee. These recommendations were adopted by the full Commission. A copy of the Subcommittee report is attached at Appendix B. Staff also reviewed the public comments received on the Joint Commission's draft legislative proposals. The Commission made final decisions on proposed legislation, and adopted its package of legislative proposals and budgetary recommendations to be introduced during the 2001 Session.
