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Director Johnston advised that the present guidelines are <br />set at 150% of the Federal Poverty level and the proposal is to <br />increase this to 185%. <br />Commissioner Wodtke inquired as to the reason for this <br />increase, and Director Johnston advised that with the change at <br />the hospital in regard to hiring doctors for the deliveries and <br />prenatal care, WIC, which is the nutritional assistance group of <br />the Health Department, has tried to work out a common across-the- <br />board percentage so everybody would be using the same guidelines - <br />The hospital wanted 2000, but WIC would not go that high. She <br />noted that the 185% standard will allow a pretty high level of <br />income to qualify. <br />Chairman Scurlock was not enthusiastic about the more <br />Liberal policy. <br />Commissioner Wodtke inquired about the possible effect of <br />this on the Welfare budget, and Ms. Johnston advised that it <br />won't have any effect because all Welfare does is screen the <br />people, but it will affect the Health Department money; however, <br />she did not know how much as she did not have any statistics as <br />to how many more peop"le will fall under the new guidelines. <br />Director Johnson informed the Board that the other thing <br />which the Hospital wants to do is accept people with insurance <br />whom doctors have turned down. She believed the lowest up -front <br />payment the doctors in the county will accept is about $500. <br />Many people, even those with insurance, just can't afford this, <br />and her understanding is that the Hospital will accept the <br />insurance and refund the Health Department for their share of the <br />care. <br />Acting Administrator Thomas commented that the reason we put <br />items on the Consent Agenda is to speed things up, but if the <br />17 Bou 6 4 PAGE 111 <br />1986JUN 18 <br />J <br />