Call to order: Meeting was called to order at 12:28 p.m. by Barb Eskildsen

Roll Call – the following members were present: Barbara Eskildsen (03), John Smith (11), Lynn Niewohner (06), Grant Nyhammer (01) by conference call, Shana Holmes (10), Tracy Barczewski (09), Jonathan Lavin (13), Joanne Thomas (04), Julie Hubbard (07). A quorum was established.

Guests attending: Terry Steczo and Maureen Mulhull, Government Strategy Associates.

Confirmation of Minutes of previous Meeting Minutes of the May 21, 2013 meeting – Tracy Barczewski moved for approval of minutes as presented; Seconded by Lynn Niewohner. Motion carried.

Reports

Treasurer’s Report – Joy Paeth presented a finance report, accept report as delivered and will send another bill to City of Chicago. Motion made by Tracy Barczewski, Seconded by Lynn Niewohner. Motion carried.

Legislative update:

Barb Eskildsen read the memorandum updates from Terry Steczo and Maureen Mulhall, in regards to the Government Strategy Associates.

Government Strategy Associates update:

HB 2275 – Rep. Feigenholtz / Sen. Steans – Creates the Community Care Program Medicaid Trust Fund as a special fund in the State Treasury. Provides that amounts paid to the State during each State fiscal year by the federal government under Title XIX or Title XX of the Social Security Act for Services delivered in relation to the Department on Aging’s Community Care Program, and any interest earned there on, shall be deposited into the Fund. Provides that moneys in the Fund may be used by the Department on Aging for the purchases of services, and immediately. (Current Status: Signed by Governor – PA 98-0008).

EVV/Managed Care Discussion: Providers of the Homemakers CCP program and the small home maker’s program (the smaller ones) are having problems obtaining and maintaining the EVV system). System must be in place by September 30th. If you want to make a comment to the rule making it must be done quickly. Managed Care and the Don scoring was discussed, where managed care is most popular in the higher populated areas of the State.

HB 3227 – Sent. Koehler/Rep. Gabel – Health Care Benefits Exchange (Current Status: Passed Senate; House Rules Committee).

Terry Steczo gave an update; Governor has completed all of his activity, actions. There were 595 bills passed General Assembly, Governor vetoed two, reduced one, vetoed legislative salaries. Pensions, conference committee to discuss pension reform, parts leaked to the press, the tribune wants radical reform.

Terry Steczo informed department on aging issued a statement ending Illinois Cares Rx. It would be very difficult to ever bring it back. Adult Protective Services was signed by the Governor. Bills we had concerns which was HB 1191, now it is up to them to see how they can make it work. Medicaid expansion, signed into law now. October 1, health care changes, operative data to make sure everything processes correctly. Increase in property tax exemption for seniors will come into play next year.

APS Discussion: Barb, Terry, Maureen, Jon, Joy - APS – Announced at meeting (IDOA) are in rule making process, when will that go up for comment and when will we see what is being implemented. Terry states, putting together, proposed rules, would be published in Illinois Register and then common register starts, important to be in there now, making suggestions, let’s work together, we know how these programs are suppose to work and look, important to make effort now. Maureen, they can talk to us about the process up until the time they are speaking to Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR). Sen. Haine and Harris are on JACAR. The JACAR meeting is between the Department and JACAR members, if you’re pleased you need to put that in writing to see if you’re pleased with the decision. Grant N states manual has to go through the Administrative Rules process, they can’t have the regulations, change things overnight. Barb questioned if the manual actually goes thru rule making? Grant N, we are independent non-profits, not state employees, basically the manual would affect independent agencies or providers, and IDOA is stating we are able to function as a Governmental function. We are just contractors with Aging. Barb Eskildsen and Diane Slezak will contact Lois Moorman to set up a discussion on the APS rules.

Terry Steczo alerted - Representative Costello brought up the mandated reporter; Costello is interested in looking at the next step we would take, a step beyond the training. Taking the next step now may not be the best idea until we have actual information and data to present to the Legislatures. Financial exploitation is Costello’s interest.

NGA/FOIA Full Discussion: NGA’s/FOIA – If ruling would be ruled as inapplicable to the AAA’s it would remove an enormous amount of language already written.

State Income Tax Surcharge Continuation discussion: Terry Steczo prefaced that in another 15 months, Jan 1, 2015, income tax surcharge would be sunsetted, which is 25% of the State’s revenue. The economy of the State is getting better; hopefully the pension reform will be complete by then. Terry states this needs to be a close focus for the AAA’s, a graduated tax rate is a long shot. Jon Lavin proposes - need seven AAA’s (Boards to say) they want to support the temporary income tax being extended for fear of loss of services, this needs to be done by January. Jon proposes to find a good argument for the 2% income tax and keeping it.

All members voted to send this to the legislative committee as the proper forum for addressing this.

OASAC Report - Jon Lavin reported: went to the meeting last Monday, a report was sent by email to all members, framework presentation.

ACL Region V meeting in Chicago: Jon Lavin invites the I4A members to a meeting on Monday, October 28th, (9:30 a.m.-3:00 p.m.) there will be a (meal) fee for $37.00; this meeting will be in regards to examples of how to present services your Agency has to the MCO’s. Jon’s been having some planning discussions with prior board members etc., planning on what tools we need to work with purchases, managed care companies, what we need is to share what can or can’t work to get our share of the business. Meeting will be in Chicago at the Health and Conferences Social room; looking in terms how to market, price, deal with geography.

CCPAC Report – Joanne Thomas reported: Mary Killough reported a lot of information in regards to the Electronic Verification (EVV) system, half of the CCU’s are using the system (28). It was also presented by Mary to also encourage getting the system in place to meet proposed budgetary estimate on cost savings. Mary will send out some guidance to providers on how to implement this in a timely manner. Joseph Mason presented HB 2275, contracts with the Medi-lookup is limited, new system contract to move apps with DHS (Department of Human Services) more efficiently. This system would include a new application, method, SNAP, scan documents into system, simple to navigate, method to calculate eligibility. Mary Killough will host webinars to begin training with this new DHS auto eligibility system (AID). Dennis Minor reported in CCPAC meeting where IDOA stands with their Fiscal payments, FY 13 is complete and FY 14 is current to July; Managed Care systems/60.7 to CCU’s.

General Business

Anti-Trust Policy: I4A President Barbara Eskildsen asked for a review/motion to adopt the anti-trust policy, which was discussed and presented at prior I4A meeting. Motion by: Lynn Niewohner to adopt the policy as presented at the last meeting, Seconded by Joanne Thomas. Motion carried.

Letter of Resignation: A letter from Michael O’Donnell was read by I4A President Barbara Eskildsen. Mike O’Donnell is resigning as I4A Secretary and as Chair of the I4A Legislative Committee effective of August 30th. He is also resigning the following memberships to state wide committees; Policy Advisory Council for the Illinois Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Medicaid Advisory Committee Subcommittee on Long Term Care, and IL N4a State Grassroots Coordinator , Medicaid Advisory Committee—Subcommittee on Care Coordination. Motion by: Jon Lavin to accept resignation for Secretary and ask Mike to take a leave of absence as Legislative Committee Chair and Jon will step in as Chair until Mike can return. Motion seconded by: Julie Hubbard. Motion carried.

Re-evaluation of Officers: Nominating committee appointed

• Joy Paeth
• Lynn Niewohner
• Julie Hubbard

Nominating committee met in short session regarding nomination of new I4A Officers: Joy Paeth asked that I4A President be Barbara Eskildsen, Lynn Niewohner asked that Joy Paeth be Treasurer, Joy Paeth asked for Shana Holmes, to be Secretary. I4A President Barb Eskildesen asked if there were any nominations from the floor and none answered; the next I4A meeting Agenda will include a second round of voting.

Special Committee’s formed as stated in By-Laws

• Education and Training Committee: (Need three members) the I4A members nominated, Lynn Niewohner, Tracy Barczewski, Joanne Thomas
• Program Committee: (Need three members) the I4A members nominated, Joy Paeth, Todd Shackelford, Rob Mapes, Barbara Eskildsen
• Legislative Committee: (Need three members) the I4A members nominated: Jon Lavin, Joy Paeth, Michael O’Donnell, Barbara Eskildsen and everyone else may participate.
• OASAC Committee: I4A Members nominated Jon Lavin
• CCPAC Committee: I4A Members nominated Tracy Barczewski, Joy Paeth, Lynn Niewohner
• LIHEAP Policy Advisory Committee: I4A Members nominated Julie Hubbard
• Medicaid Advisory Committee: I4A Members nominated Jon Lavin (Age Options)

Legislative Contract Renewal: Terry Steczo and Maureen Mulhull would accept renewal at $35,000 per year as our Legislation Representatives (Lobbyists). Motion to accept this same renewal rate was made by John Smith and Seconded by Lynn Niewohner, motion carried.
Dues Calculations: Joy Paeth discussed and presented 2014 membership dues to I4A members, adjusted allocation to cover $35,000. Motion made by Lynn Niewohner that dues remain the same as last year. Seconded by: Tracy Barczewski. Motion carried.

I4A Nomination Awards: Lynn Niewohner presents forms for the AOA Outstanding Caregiver Award which will be presented at the IL Governor’s Conference on Aging Awards Luncheon to be held December 13, 2013. To be eligible for the award the person must be 55+, Direct Care worker; IDOA will accept all of the nominations, they will pick top 2 and send back to I4A for final decision; nominations are due by October 30, 2013.

Special Discussions

BIP (Balanced Incentive Program) - Discussion, I4A President Barbara Eskildsen went over questions I4A has and the plans/questions to present to ICCU/IDOA. An informational guide was given to I4A members for review of questions and asked for further suggestions; although most questions have been answered, an optional meeting is open with Director Holten in regards to upcoming questions.

Vision of I4A Membership – Discussion, I4A President Barbara Eskildsen went over the mission statement of the I4A. Future mission was discussed among all members, those who attended the N4A conference (Joanne, Barb, Jon) outlook of the future; diversify our funding streams, goals, hearing of what’s coming up next.

Annual Meeting – Duplicate/Discussion above

Date of Next Meeting – Draft dates of meetings I4A October 22nd and IDOA meeting October 23rd.

Adjournment: I4A President Barbara Eskildsen asked for a motion to adjourn meeting Motion by: Tracy Barczewski, Seconded by Lynn Niewohner. Motion carried.