2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997
ANDREA SHORTER
President
KAY GULBENGAY
Vice President
DORKA KEEHN
Commissioner
CAROLENE MARKS
Commissioner
KATHERINE MUNTER
Commissioner
JULIE SOO
Commissioner
EMILY MURASE, PhD
Executive Director
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COMMISSION MEETING MINUTESWednesday, September 23, 2009
5:00 PM
City Hall, Room 408
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102
Members Present Staff Present
President Andrea Shorter Executive Director Emily Murase, PhD
Vice President Kay Gulbengay Administrative Analyst Laura Marshall
Commissioner Carolene Marks Commission Secretary Cynthia Vasquez
Commissioner Katherine Munter
Commissioner Julie Soo
Excused: Commissioner Dorka Keehn
I. CALL TO ORDER/ AGENDA CHANGES
Vice President Kay Gulbengay called the meeting to order at 5 pm. She asked that the agenda be rearranged to move up the presentation from Madame Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Tangerine Brigham.
Action: Approved amended agenda.
m/s/c (Munter/Soo/Unanimous)
No public comment.
II. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Action: Approved amended minutes from August 26, 2009.
m/s/c (Soo/Marks/Unanimous)
No public comment.
III. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT
A. Executive Director's Report
Explanatory document: The Executive Director’s Report discusses the work of the Department based on the Commission’s Strategic Plan which reflects the principles of the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW).
Dr. Murase directed Commissioners to the written Executive Director's Report. She reported on her presentation at the United Nations training center in Atlanta on gender violence. The presentation highlighted the Justice & Courage Project and the exceptional collaboration with community-based agencies to make real progress on the criminal justice response to domestic violence.
She also reported that October 1 marks the beginning of the Combined Charities Campaign to raise money for non-profit organizations working in our communities. The goal this year is to see an increase in employee participation from all departments. Dr. Murase encouraged Commissioners to participate in this important effort and contribute.
The Department is coordinating the Second Annual Cell Phone Drive for city departments and employees during the month of October to highlight Domestic Violence Awareness Month, in partnership with the Department of the Environment.
Dr. Murase announced that the Women’s Policy Summit will take place Monday, October 26, 2009, 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm, with a networking cocktail reception from 6-8 pm. The Summit will be at the Merchants Exchange Building at 465 California Street and she encouraged Commissioners to attend.
IV. CONSENT AGENDA
All matters listed hereunder constitute a Consent Agenda and are considered to be routine by the Commission on the Status of Women. They will be acted upon by a single roll call vote of the Commission. There will be no separate discussion of these items unless a member of the Commission so requests, in which event the matter shall be removed from the Consent Agenda and considered as a separate item. Members of the public may speak on each item listed on the Consent Agenda.
A. Resolution Honoring Naomi Tucker of Shalom Bayit for 25 Years of Service
B. Resolution Recognizing the 30th Anniversary of the Women's Building
Action: Approved the consent agenda.
m/s/c (Marks/Munter/Unanimous)
A. Report on Health Care Reform Updates
1. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi .
On behalf of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Ms. Stina Skewes-Cox, Special Assistant for Outreach, thanked the Commission for this opportunity. She read a statement by Speaker Pelosi. The Speaker thanked the Department and Commission for working the advancement of women and girls throughout San Francisco. Assuring the affordability of health care for all Americans and requiring accountability for insurance companies are two of the central principles in the proposed America’s Affordable Health Choices Act in Congress. Additional provisions are as follows:
· No more co-pays or deductibles for prevention care.
· No more rate increases for pre-existing conditions, gender, or occupation.
· An annual cap on out-of-pocket expenses.
· Guaranteed, affordable oral, hearing and vision care for kids.
· You can keep your doctor, and your current plan, if you like them.
· More choice, with a high quality public health insurance option competing with private insurers.
· Patience and their doctors make health care decision- not insurance companies.
· Mental health care must be covered.
· No more coverage denial for pre-existing conditions.
· No more lifetime limits on how much insurance companies will pay.
· No reason to ever make a job or life decision again based on health care coverage.
Commissioner Marks inquired whether a new agency would be charged with administering the new healthcare plan. Ms. Skewes-Cox stated that her colleague Mark Herbert is the primary contact on this issue.
Commissioner Soo expressed concern about a provision in the House bill that would require a 5-year waiting period for legal immigrants to be eligible for health care coverage. The Asian Pacific American Health Forum is organizing around this issue. Commissioner Soo asked that the issue be flagged to the Speaker. Ms. Skewes-Cox thanked Commissioner Soo for the information.
President Shorter thanked Ms. Skewes-Cox for her participation today. Commissioner Soo stated that a public option is essential, not only for low-income families, but for all families. Commissioner Gulbengay expressed her full confidence in the Speaker. Commissioner Shorter stated that health care reform is very much a women's issue as First Lady Michelle Obama has explained in a recent public address.
B. Healthy San Francisco Update
Ms. Tangerine Deputy Director of Health with the Department of Public Health, Brigham explained that Healthy San Francisco is health care access and not insurance. The program provides comprehensive health care services and is available regardless of pre-existing conditions. Currently, San Francisco has about 60,000 uninsured adults. About 47,000 are currently enrolled in Healthy San Francisco. Of these, 70% are at 100% of the federal poverty level of $11,000/year.
Begun 2 years ago, Healthy San Francisco has created healthcare access choice among non-profit clinics and hospitals, as well as for-profit hospitals. As a result of the program, hospitals have reported a significant decrease in Emergency Department visits for primary care. The Kaiser Family Foundation study found that 95% of respondents were satisfied with the program, 86% reported having a usual source of care, over 80% were satisfied with the ease of enrollment, and 40%+ indicated an improvement in overall health.
For FY08-09, Ms. Brigham reported that the program costs were $298 per participant per month, less than going out to purchase insurance individually (between $388 - $600+). Healthy San Francisco is funded by city funds, federal funds, participants, and employers.
Ms. Brigham highlighted generalizable features of the program, including enrolling members regardless of preexisting conditions, affordability, promoting wellness care, and having a medical home for everyone.
Commissioner Munter asked how Healthy San Francisco compares to what is available at other counties. Ms. Brigham explained that all 58 counties in California are responsible for indigent care. Some counties provide only emergency services. Others do not provide direct services and instead contracts out to healthcare providers. Nassau County of New York is looking closely at the Healthy San Francisco model.
Commissioner Soo pointed out the inadequacy of the federal poverty level. The current level of $11,000 is abysmal for this high cost region. She also highlighted the need to spread the responsibility for charity care across all of the hospitals throughout the City. Ms. Brigham stated that not only does the responsibility for charity care need to be shared among a greater number of hospitals, there should be greater shared responsibility around in-patient services.
VI. NEW BUSINESS - Part 2
B. Report on Health Care Reform Updates
1. Congresswoman Jackie Speier
On behalf of Congresswoman Jackie Speier, Field Representative Katie Ferrick thanked the Commission for the invitation to engage on this issue. Ms. Ferrick distributed a briefing paper on how health reform will better meet women's health care needs. The current House bill will eliminate discriminatory pricing and include maternity services as essential benefits. Ms. Ferrick highlighted analysis by the National Women's Law Center that has found that 7 out of 10 women are uninsured or underinsured. Ms. Ferrick reported women use the health care system more often and that 62% of bankrupt cases are filed are due to medical reasons. When the unemployment rate rises by 1% there are 2.4 million people who lose health care coverage.
Commissioner Soo stated that it was Congressman Deal who inserted the provision that mandates a 5-year waiting period for legal immigrants. She reiterated President Shorter's point that health care is a women's issue, as women make health care decisions and make personal sacrifices to provide care for other family members.
Commissioner Munter asked about the state of the debate in Washington. Ms. Ferrick stated that there has not been enough substantive debate about health care.
Commissioner Marks thanked Ms. Ferrick for her presentation. Commissioner Soo asked what the next legislative steps were. Ms. Ferrick explained that this is yet unclear.
2. Commission Resolution on Health Care Reform
Commissioners requested a number of minor edits.
Commissioner Marks suggested having other groups join in supporting the resolution. Commissioner Soo explained that the Commission should take set an example and a copy of the resolution should be sent to the Congressional delegates.
Commissioners will consider a resolution stating its position on healthcare reform.
Action: Approve the amended resolution on Healthcare Reform
m/s/c (Marks/Soo/Unanimous)
Commissioner Soo recommended that the resolution be sent to the Congressional delegation.
V. OLD BUSINESS
A. Revised Gender Analysis of San Francisco Commissions and Boards
The Commissioners were presented with a revised report on the gender analysis with updated charts that compare the 2009 findings to the 2008 report.
Dr. Murase suggested setting up a meeting with the Mayor’s Office to ensure that appointments represent the various communities in San Francisco.
Amendments were made to the resolution. Commissioner Gulbengay, retired Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, recused herself from this issue.
Action: Approved an amended resolution urging the Mayor and Board of Supervisors to ensure appointed bodies represent San Francisco’s diverse population.
m/s/c (Marks/Munter/Passed/Gulbengay recused)
VII. PUBLIC COMMENT
Commissioner Marks requested that equal pay be on the agenda at the November 20 Commission Retreat. Commissioner Soo supported this suggestion. In addition, she requested clarification on the roles and duties of Commissioners.
Commissioner Munter asked if other Commissioners will be planning to attend the October 26 Women's Policy Summit
Commissioners Marks, Munter, Gulbengay, Shorter, and Soo plan to attend.
IX. ADJOURNMENT
Motion to adjourn.
m/s/c (Shorter/Munter/Unanimous).
The meeting adjourned at 7 pm.
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