Laserfiche WebLink
Council Member J. B. Norton, Jr. addressed the Board <br />and gave a brief presentation on the newly formed District <br />IX Mental Health Council's health plan. <br />Air. Norton explained that the new District IX Council <br />replaced the old District 7 Health Council due to a federal <br />mandate and cost cutting under the Reagan Administration. <br />The new council does not have the authority the old council <br />had to approve a certificate of need for hospitals, nursing <br />homes, hospital expansions, etc., -and all applications have <br />to be sent to the state for review. <br />After operation of the District IX Mental Health <br />Council began in October of last year, there was a great <br />deal of controversy between the Department of Health & <br />Rehabilitative Services and the local health council over an <br />interpretation of a law which was approved by the <br />legislature last year concerning the authority of the local <br />agency. As a result, they have placed a moratorium of 90 <br />days on new applications for building, expansions, etc., and <br />there is a possibility of extending the moratorium to one <br />year. <br />Mr. Norton stated there is no local input as to the <br />health needs of our area and we feel we have more knowledge <br />into the needs of this county than state officials. At <br />present they have not received a full set of instructions <br />from the HRS as to what our Board's responsibilities would <br />be in the future. He stated that it was very frustrating <br />serving on a Board not having much authority after sitting <br />on the old Board for five years. <br />Commissioner Lyons asked what this Commission could do <br />to be of assistance, and Mr. Norton replied that they have <br />instructed their attorney to draw up a recommendation asking <br />for more authority, and would like to bring it back when <br />completed and present it to the Board for their endorsement. <br />41 <br />SPOK, �� ' <br />