Call to Order - President Julie Hubbard called the meeting to order at 12:15 p.m.

Roll Call - the following members were present: Grant Nyhammer (01), Lucia West Jones (02), Barbara Eskildsen (03), Joanne Thomas (04), Mike O'Donnell (05), Lynn Niewohner (06), Julie Hubbard (07), Joy Paeth, Chris Fulton, and Kiyeon Yoch (08), Tracy Barczewski (09), Yvonne DeKnikker (10), John Smith (11), and Jon Lavin (13). Absent: Area 12.

Guests attending included Terry Steczo and Maureen Mulhull.

Minutes of the October 25, 2011 Meeting - Yvonne DeKnikker moved that the minutes be approved. Motion seconded by Barbara Eskildsen. Motion carried.

Treasurer's Report - Joy Paeth moved approval of the report. Motion seconded by Lucia West Jones. Motion carried.

Legislative Committee Report - Reporting on behalf of the Legislative Committee, Mike O'Donnell presented data provided by the Illinois Department on Aging on B*SAFE train-the-trainer sessions and training for bank employees.

Jon Lavin reported on n4a's position on a bill introduced by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) to reauthorize the Older Americans Act [SB 2037 was formally introduced on January 27, 2012].

Mike O'Donnell, on behalf of the Legislative Committee, moved to authorize the I4A President to send a letter to State Senator Munoz, Chairman of the Senate Executive Appointments Committee, endorsing the confirmation of Dr. John Holton as Director of the Illinois Department on Aging. The motion was seconded by Lynn Niewohner. Motion carried.

CCPAC Report - John Smith reported that the Illinois Department on Aging will form a study group comprising stake holder groups to develop the white paper on redesigning case management. The redesign will not occur in FY2013. CCPAC will be part of the stake-holder group. CCPAC will look at integrated managed care and referrals to community-based care coordination. Since May, 2011, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services has implemented integrated manage care for Medicaid eligible individuals (excluding Medicare Part A and Part B beneficiaries) through contracts with Aetna Better Health and Illini Care Health Plan (Centene Corporation).

Legislative Briefing - Terry Steczo and Maureen Mulhull with Government Strategy Associates gave a legislative briefing.

The Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability issued a report calling for state payments for teachers' pensions, and projected cuts in state spending in FY2013 ranging from 5% for human services, 7% for quality of life programs, to 8% for public safety. The state of Illinois has unpaid bills estimated at six to seven billion dollars. Proposals to restructure state indebtedness are unlikely to garner the necessary 3/5 vote to assure passage in the House and Senate. There is speculation about the practicality of implementing budgeting for results. There will be further efforts to reform Medicaid by increasing enrollment in managed care. State lawmakers will try to reach agreement on legislation implementing the Healthcare Benefits Exchange. Federal CMS approved the state's nursing home bed tax which is expected to generate $110 million annually. HFS has convened meetings of a Nursing Home Rate Task Force to determine how bed tax revenues will be allocated among incentives and rates for nursing homes, IDPH surveyors, and the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program. The Illinois Primary Election will be March 20, 2012. After the primary, Terry and Maureen will provide a report on candidates by county who will stand in the General Election on November 6, 2012.

CCPAC Report (continued) - John Smith reported that CCPAC discussed Managed Care Organizations, their role in care planning, provider access to MCO rates, requirements, quality assurance, "nursing home carve-outs," etc. John Smith reported that IDOA had sent warrants to the Comptroller for Flexible Senior Services. John Smith announced his decision to resign from CCPAC. I4A Members expressed their appreciation for John's representation on behalf of I4A. Joanne Thomas volunteered to represent I4A. Joy Paeth and Julie Hubbard agreed to substitute when needed.

OASAC - Grant Nyhammer had no report.

By-Laws Committee - Joanne Thomas and Grant Nyhammer highlighted revisions to the draft by-laws. Members of the I4A Board offered further changes. Jon Lavin moved adoption of the revised by-laws. Motion seconded by Lynn Niewohner. Motion carried. Joanne Thomas will e-mail revised by-laws to the members of the I4A Board in preparation for a final vote for adoption at the next I4A Meeting on March 27, 2012.

Healthy IDEAS Proposal - Mike O'Donnell presented a summary of a grant proposal developed by the Illinois Coalition on Mental Health and Aging in response to the CMS Health Care Innovations Challenge. If approved for funding, the Coalition would award 3-year grants to the 13 Area Agencies on Aging to disseminate the evidence-based Healthy IDEAS program statewide to help older adults manage depression. The application will be submitted on January 27, 2012.

N4A Report - Jon Lavin reported on opportunities for area agencies on aging through corporate partnerships with CST, Mutual of America, and Trilogy Integrated Resources (Network of Care). N4A will hold a Aging Policy Briefing on April 16-17, 2012 in Washington, D.C. I4A Board members discussed the costs and benefits of Network of Care. Jon offered to arrange a demonstration of Network of Care at the I4A Meeting on March 27, 2012.

White Paper on Redesign of Case Management - I4A Board members posed questions about future procurement for Comprehensive Care Coordination, next steps in the dialogue, conflict-free case management, integrated care, Medicaid match rates, consumer perceptions, and best practices in other states. Board members suggested that I4A consult with IDOA and Health and Medicine Policy Research Group and bring national experts to Illinois for consultation and training, such as Bob Applebaum with Scripps Gerontology Center, Martha Roherty with NASUAD. Board members generally agreed that IDOA should form a planning committee to continue the conversation, educate stakeholders, and develop a consensus on the future of Comprehensive Care Coordination.

Lucia West Jones moved that I4A proceed to develop an educational opportunity on topics related to care coordination including managed care, conflict free case management, the Affordable Care Act and related legislation. Joanne Thomas seconded the motion. Motion carried by a vote of 11 in favor and 1 opposed.

Request to Remove FOIA Provision from NGA - I4A discussed the need to follow-up with IDOA on a letter sent by I4A President Julie Hubbard to the Illinois Department on Aging requesting removal of an assurance contained in the Illinois Department on Aging's Notification of Grant Awards with Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs), which implies that as grantees of IDOA, AAAs are subsidiaries of the State and therefore must comply with the Freedom of Information Act. The letter requested that IDOA remove the FOIA assurance and issue new NGAs to AAAs. The Board members recommended that Julie Hubbard contact IDOA to seek a response.

AAA Consolidation - I4A Board members discussed the pros and cons of consolidation of area agencies on aging in Wisconsin, Iowa, and the origins of such proposals in Illinois.

I4A Fact Sheet and Annual Report - Mike O'Donnell will update the I4A Fact Sheet and develop an annual report for I4A. He asked each AAA to send him a written summary of their top three accomplishments during the current or past year.

Bridge Model - Jon Lavin reported that CMS approved AgeOptions' Care Transitions proposal under ACA Section 3026.

Adjournment - the meeting was adjourned at 4:35 p.m.