Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Tara Williams
Department: Human Services Division: Community Partnerships
Information
Requested Action
title
A. MOTION TO AUTHORIZE County Administrator to negotiate and execute Agreement between Broward County and Broward Community and Family Health Centers Inc. (“BCFHC”), in the amount of $143,864, effective October 1, 2024, through September 30, 2025, with four one-year renewal periods, subject to review and approval for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney, to supplement the Low-Income Pool amount provided to BCFHC by Broward County for the provision of primary health care services to qualifying individuals; authorize the County Administrator to execute amendments to the Agreement that do not impose any additional financial obligations on the County, subject to review and approval for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney; and authorize the County Administrator to take all necessary administrative and budgetary actions to implement the Agreement.
ACTION: (T-11:07 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Ryan was not present.
B. MOTION TO APPROVE waiver of conflict under Section 112.313(7)(a), Florida Statutes, for the following Broward County advisory board member holding an employment or contractual relationship with an entity receiving funds for the performance of services under this agenda item: Rosalyn Frazier.
ACTION: (T-11:07 AM) Approved.
VOTE: 8-0. Commissioner Ryan was not present.
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Why Action is Necessary
A. Broward County Board of County Commissioners (“Commission”) approval is required for agreements with external agencies.
B. A waiver of conflict arising under Section 112.313(7)(a), Florida Statutes, requires two-thirds approval by the Commission.
What Action Accomplishes
A. Authorization allows the County Administrator to negotiate and execute an Agreement to provide supplemental funding to the Low-Income Pool for primary health care services through otherwise uncompensated care provided to uninsured Broward County residents seen at a federally qualified health center.
B. Approval waives the existence of any conflicts arising under Section 112.313(7)(a), Florida Statutes, as authorized under applicable law.
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Previous Action Taken
None
Summary Explanation/Background
THE HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT AND THE COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS DIVISION RECOMMEND APPROVAL OF THE ABOVE MOTIONS.
These actions support the Commission’s value of “building partnerships and working collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives”, and the goal to “deliver accessible human services that holistically address the whole person collaboratively and compassionately.” This Agreement provides funding for eligible Broward County residents to receive critically needed primary health care services.
Primary care medical services are acute care and preventive services made available through the Low-Income Pool (“LIP”) to well and sick persons who are unable to obtain these services due to lack of income or other barriers beyond their control. In October 2015, the Florida Medicaid Reform established the LIP, providing funding to safety-net providers in the state for the purpose of providing primary care services to the uninsured through provider access systems. A Federally Qualified Health Center (“FQHC”) that provides primary care services must obtain a match from a local government, such as counties, hospital taxing districts, and other state agencies that levy taxes for health-related issues. The amount available for draw-down each year is determined by Medicaid utilization and the percentage of uncompensated charity care cost from the previous year. Broward County participates in the LIP by providing funding to BCFHC through a Letter of Agreement with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.
Since the beginning of the Public Health Emergency of COVID-19, the state has provided continuous Medicaid coverage and has not disenrolled ineligible recipients. As a result of this policy, the state saw a significant increase in individuals and families seeking Medicaid assistance. However, due to legislative changes in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2023, the continuous coverage provision ended on March 31, 2023. This has resulted in an alarming number of Medicaid enrollees who have been disenrolled for Medicaid services due to the discontinuation of coverage. As an FQHC in Broward County, BCFHC continued to provide primary care services to uninsured individuals and has increased the amount of uncompensated care it provides. However, the formula used to calculate the amount of funding awarded to BCFHC for the LIP has not changed. Therefore, due to BCFHC’s obligations as an FQHC, it requested additional funding to support the increased amount of otherwise uncompensated care it is providing to these individuals each year.
Authorization for the County Administrator to negotiate and execute the Agreement with BCFHC is requested to facilitate the direct payment of $143,864 to BCFHC, supplementing the LIP amount provided by Broward County to assist in the provision of primary health care services for otherwise uncompensated care. Using the approved funding, BCFHC will deliver primary health care services to patients at four clinical sites in Hollywood, Hallandale, Lauderhill, and Pompano Beach. For the period of July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, BCFHC anticipates that it will be able to use this increased funding amount to serve at least 150 additional patients.
The Agreement will be reviewed for legal sufficiency by the Office of the County Attorney prior to execution by the County Administrator.
Approval of this item would give rise to certain employment conflicts under Section 112.313(7)(a), Florida Statutes, which provides that "no public officer... shall have or hold any employment or contractual relationship with any business entity... which is... doing business with an agency of which he or she is an officer or employee." In accordance with 112.313(12), Florida Statutes, Commission approval is required to waive any conflict of interest arising under Section 112.313(7)(a), Florida Statutes. An effective waiver requires two-thirds vote of the Commission after disclosure of the conflicting relationship (Motion B) in accordance with Section 112.313(12), Florida Statutes. Form 4A, Disclosure of Business Transaction, Relationship, or Interest, is attached to this report as Exhibit 1 and constitutes full disclosure of any existing conflicts.
Source of Additional Information
Efrem Crenshaw, Director, Community Partnerships Division, (954) 357-6398
Jessica Roy, Administrator, Health Care Services, (954) 357-5394
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
Funds in the amount of $143,864 are allocated in the Fiscal Year 2025 Community Partnerships Division budget.