Special Called meeting of the State Board of Veterans Affairs to 1. confirm employees who have successfully completed their probationary period and 2. discuss financial aspects of the healthcare contracts with HMR of Alabama as it relates to the COVID-19 emergency to ensure the economic stability of the essential mission of caring for veterans in the four state veterans homes.
This is a teleconference meeting. Conference # is 1-415-655-0001. 289 857 576 is the meeting number and 5896 is the PIN.
MEETING SUMMARY
Homes Committee
The Homes Committee of the State Board of Veterans Affairs held a special called meeting 10:00 am on Thursday, May 14, 2020 via teleconference. Roll call was taken, and a quorum was established. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss financial matters related to the COVID-19 crisis as it relates to the healthcare contracts with HMR of Alabama, Inc. (HMR). A discussion was had about the extraordinary costs that have been incurred by HMR as they have responded to the changing needs in the four state veterans homes due to the COVID-19 crisis. The members of the committee reviewed a detailed listing of the extra costs that included sanitizing and infection control, overtime for staff, hazard pay, contract nursing, PPE as well as other costs not covered under the HMR contract. A motion was made and seconded to recommend to the board to adopt the plan as documented in the Recommended COVID-19 Response Funding Plan (see proposed plan) for the state veterans homes. A roll call vote was taken, and it was unanimous to recommend the board to approve the proposed plan.
A COLA increase for HMR was on the agenda for the board meeting that was supposed to be held in April 2020. That meeting was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions. The committee considered the COLA request received from HMR. A motion was made and seconded to recommend to the board they approve a 2.9% increase to the daily rate of the healthcare contract with HMR of Alabama for the four state veterans homes. The new daily rate would be $232.82 for Bill Nichols, Tut Fann and W.F. Green State Veterans Homes. For Robert L. Howard the new daily rate would be $247.84 for skilled care and $156.52 for the domiciliary. The increase would become effective July 1, 2020 and be funded from the Veterans Assistance Fund. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion was passed unanimously.
The meeting was then adjourned.
State board of Veterans Affairs
The State Board of Veterans Affairs held a special called meeting at 2:00 pm on Thursday, May 14, 2020 via teleconference. Roll call was taken to establish a quorum. The purpose of the meeting was to 1. Confirm employees who have successfully completed their probationary period and 2. Discuss financial matters related to the COVID-19 crisis as it relates to the healthcare contracts with HMR of Alabama, Inc. (HMR).
Mr. Scott Williamson, Talladega County Veterans Service Officer, Ms. Shantealle Ray, Limestone County Veterans Service Officer, and Mr. Jeremiah Fullenchek, Marshall County Veterans Service Officer were up for confirmation. The department informed the board that the three employees satisfactorily progressed throughout their probationary period and confirmation was recommended. A motion was made and seconded to recommend Mr. Williamson, Ms. Ray and Mr. Fullenchek be confirmed. The motion was passed unanimously.
A discussion was then had about the extraordinary costs incurred by HMR as they have responded the changing needs in the four state veterans homes due to the COVID-19 crisis. The members of the board received a detailed list of those costs to include sanitizing and infection control, overtime for staff, hazard pay, contract nursing, PPE as well as other costs not covered under the HMR contract. A motion was made and seconded to adopt the plan as documented in the Recommended COVID-19 Response Funding Plan (see proposed plan) for the state veterans homes. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion passed with 13 votes in favor of the motion and one abstention.
A COLA increase for HMR was on the agenda for the board meeting that was supposed to be held in April 2020. That meeting was canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions. The board considered the COLA request received from HMR. A motion was made and seconded to approve a 2.9% increase to the daily rate of the healthcare contract with HMR of Alabama for the four state veterans homes. The new daily rate would be $232.82 for Bill Nichols, Tut Fann and W.F. Green State Veterans Homes. For Robert L. Howard the new daily rate would be $247.84 for skilled care and $156.52 for the domiciliary. The increase would become effective July 1, 2020 and be funded from the Veterans Assistance Fund. A roll call vote was taken, and the motion was passed unanimously.
The members were reminded that the next regular meeting of the board was scheduled for July 10, 2020, time to be determined.
The meeting was then adjourned.