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Ivan C.A. Walks, Director, Department of Health
Testimony to the City Council Committee on Human Services on the
DC Department of Health Proposed FY 2002 Budget
March 29, 2001

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STATEMENT OF
IVAN C.A. WALKS, M.D.

CHIEF HEALTH OFFICER OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND
DIRECTOR, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH

BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES
COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

HEARING ON THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
FISCAL YEAR 2002 BUDGET

COUNCIL CHAMBER
441 FOURTH STREET, N.W.
THURSDAY, MARCH 29, 2001,12:00 NOON - 7:00 P.M.

GOOD MORNING CHAIRPERSON ALLEN AND MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES, I AM IVAN C. A. WALKS, CHIEF HEALTH OFFICER FOR TIE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. I AM JOINED BY THEODORE GORDON, CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER; RONALD LEWIS, SENIOR DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR HEALTH PROMOTION; HERBERT WELDON, SENIOR DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR HEALTH CARE FINANCE; DR. LARRY SEIGEL, SENIOR DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR MEDICAL AFFAIRS; DR. ANDREW SCHAMESS, SENIOR DEPUTY DIRECTOR FOR PLANNING, PREVENTION AND PRIMARY CARE, AND SUSAN PROVYN, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER. ROSALIND KEITT, CHIEF OF STAFF, KENNETH CAMPBELL, GENERAL COUNSEL, AND OTHER SENIOR STAFF ARE IN THE AUDIENCE TO RESPOND TO QUESTIONS SHOULD THE NEED ARISE. WE APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF THE MAYOR'S BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2002.

BUDGET OVERVIEW

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CONTINUES TO MAKE ITS TRANSITION FROM AN ORGANIZATION WITH LIMITED CAPACITY TO ONE THAT HAS A COMPREHENSIVE AND INTEGRATED HIGH QUALITY PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAM THAT IS RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE COMMUNITY. IT'S MANAGEMENT AND RESOURCES ENSURES SOUND AND EFFECTIVE PUBLIC HEALTH PRACTICES.

ON JANUARY 2, 2001, MAYOR ANTHONY WILLIAMS APPROVED THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH'S REALIGNMENT PLAN. THE REALIGNED DEPARTMENTAL STRUCTURE CONSISTS OF SIX CLUSTERS:

  • THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR INCLUDES COMMUNICATIONS AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS, HEALTH POLICY, LEGISLATIVE POLICY, LABOR RELATIONS, AND ADMINISTRATIVE MANAGEMENT;
  • THE HEALTH PROMOTION CLUSTER INCLUDES THE MATERNAL AND FAMILY HEALTH ADMINISTRATION, THE STATE CENTER FOR HEALTH STATISTICS ADMINISTRATION, THE HIV/AIDS ADMINISTRATION AND THE NUTRITION PROGRAMS ADMINISTRATION;
  • THE PRIMARY CARE, PREVENTION AND PLANNING CLUSTER INCLUDES THE PREVENTIVE HEALTH SERVICES ADMINISTRATION, THE HEALTH PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT ADMINISTRATION AND THE PRIMARY CARE ADMINISTRATION;
  • THE HEALTH ASSURANCE CLUSTER INCLUDES THE HEALTH REGULATION ADMINISTRATION, THE PUBLIC HEALTH LABORATORY, AND THE ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATION;
  • THE HEALTH CARE FINANCE CLUSTER INCLUDES THE MEDICAL ASSISTANCE ADMINISTRATION; AND
  • THE ADDICTION PREVENTION RECOVERY ADMINISTRATION INCLUDES THE OFFICE OF EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AND MEDICAL AFFAIRS.

THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH LIKE MANY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS ACROSS THE NATION HAS BEGUN THE PROCESS OF SHIFTING ITS FOCUS FROM THE DELIVERY OF DIRECT SERVICES TO ASSESSMENT, POLICY DEVELOPMENT; AND HEALTH ASSURANCE. MAYOR WILLIAMS EMBRACES A PHILOSOPHY THAT EMPHASIZES PRIMARY CARE AND PREVENTION. WE ARE CURRENTLY REFORMING THE DISTRICT'S HEALTH CARE DELIVERY SYSTEM TO BE MORE CONSISTENT WITH OUR PHILOSOPHY. THROUGH THIS RESTRUCTURING WE WILL IMPROVE ACCESS TO QUALITY CARE, PLACE ACCOUNTABILITY AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR HEALTH IN DOH, AND WISELY INVEST OUR FINANCIAL RESOURCES.

THE FY 2002 BUDGET SENT BY THE MAYOR TO THE COUNCIL IS NOT ABOUT A LOT OF FANCY NEW PROGRAMS OR LOTS OF NEW SPENDING. IT'S ABOUT:

  • DOING MORE WITH WHAT'S AVAILABLE;
  • MAXIMIZING THE RESOURCES WE HAVE; AND,
  • GETTING BACK TO BASICS.

OUR COMMITMENT TO ADDRESSING TIE CONCERNS OF OUR CITIZENS ARE REFLECTED BY OUR BUDGET PRIORITIES, WHICH INCLUDES

  • IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF HEALTH CARE;
  • ELIMINATING HEALTH DISPARITIES;
  • IMPROVING THE HEALTH STATUS OF OUR CITIZENS; AND
  • ENSURING THAT THE DISTRICT LEADS THE NATION IN HEALTHY LIFESTYLES.

THIS BUDGET WORKS WITHIN THE LIMITS LAID OUT BY CONGRESS AND SETS A NEW STANDARD FOR INVESTING IN CRITICAL PRIORITIES AND MAINTAINING FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY.

ONE OF THE MAYOR'S TOP PRIORITIES IS STRENGTHENING THE HEALTH CARE SAFETY NET. YOU DON'T HAVE TO LOOK ANY FURTHER THAN THE GRIM STATISTICS, TO KNOW THERE IS A HEALTH CARE CRISIS IN THIS CITY. WE KNOW THE STATUS QUO IS NOT WORKING WHEN THE LIFE EXPECTANCY OF AFRICAN-AMERICAN MEN IS 10 YEARS LESS THAN THE REST OF AMERICA AND THIS COUNTRY'S HIGHEST RATES OF INFANT MORTALITY, DIABETES, AND HIV INFECTION ARE IN OUR BACKYARD. IT IS TIME TO FIX HEALTH CARE IN WASHINGTON, DC.

THE MAYOR'S BUDGET INCLUDES $58 MILLION IN NEW PROGRAM FUNDING TO REFORM OUR HEALTH CARE SYSTEM. THIS FUNDING WILL:

  • CREATE A TRUE HEALTH CARE SAFETY NET
  • INCREASE ACCESS TO PRIMARY AND SPECIALTY CARE
  • PROVIDE A $1MILLION PRESCRIPTION DRUG AVAILABILITY.

THE ADDITIONAL FUNDS PROVIDED THROUGH THE MAYOR'S FY 2002 BUDGET PROVIDE THE RESOURCES NEEDED TO ADDRESS MAJOR HEALTH CARE CONCERNS IN OUR CITY. AT THE SAME TIME, WE CANNOT LOSE FOCUS OR BE DIVERTED FROM OTHER CRITICAL WORK THAT WE HAVE STARTED. TO THAT END WE COMMIT TO:

  • IMPROVE AND ENHANCE THE AVAILABILITY AND ACCESS TO PRIMARY HEALTH CARE AND PREVENTIVE SERVICES FOR RESIDENTS OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

  • MONITOR AND MAINTAIN THE QUALITY OF PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICES THROUGH LICENSING OF HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS AND FACILITIES, AND ENFORCEMENT OF OPTIMAL HEALTH STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS.

  • IMPROVE PUBLIC HEALTH PLANNING AND STRENGTHEN HEALTH SYSTEMS.

  • REDESIGN CURRENT MECHANISMS FOR FINANCING AND DELIVERING LONG-TERM CARE TO INTEGRATE DISABLED INDIVIDUALS INTO THE SOCIAL MAINSTREAM AND MAXIMIZE INDIVIDUAL CHOICE.

TO IMPLEMENT THE ABOVE, THE DEPARTMENT WILL:

  • ASSIGN SEVENTY-FIVE [75%] OF CHILDREN ENROLLED IN MANAGED CARE TO A PRIMARY CARE PROVIDER WITHIN NINETY [90] DAYS OF ENROLLMENT.

  • INCREASE PARTICIPATION IN HOME AND COMMUNITY BASED WAIVERS FOR BOTH THE ELDERLY AND MENTAL RETARDATION/DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES POPULATIONS BY 100%.

  • DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT THE DC QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTER PROGRAM.

  • DEVELOP A PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP TO BRING MORE PHYSICIANS TO PRACTICE IN MEDICALLY UNDERSERVED AREAS EAST OF THE ANACOSTIA.

  • DESIGN AND IMPLEMENT A PROGRAM TO PROVIDE PHARMACY ASSISTANCE TO UNINSURED DISTRICT RESIDENTS.

  • ESTABLISH BETTER LINES OF COMMUNICATION AND LINKAGES BETWEEN THE PROVIDER COMMUNITY AND THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

  • CREATE A COMPREHENSIVE, IMPLEMENTABLE DRUG STRATEGY FOR THE DISTRICT, WHICH WILL REDUCE THE NUMBER OF ADDICTED PERSONS BY 2500 AND THE COST TO THE DISTRICT BY 300,000 BY THE YEAR 2005.

  • ENSURE THAT 100% OF ALL SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT FACILITIES AND PROGRAMS USING DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA STANDARDS FOR SUBSTANCE ABUSE TREATMENT SERVICES.

  • INCREASE BY 25%, THE NUMBER OF PREMISES ABATED FOR RODENTS.

  • ENSURE THAT 95% OF ALL COMPLETED APPLICATIONS FOR CRF'S FOR MENTALLY ILL AND ELDERLY CUSTOMERS, FROM VENDORS WHO PASSED THE SUBSEQUENT INITIAL INSPECTION RECEIVE A LICENSE WITHIN 15 CALENDAR DAYS.

  • ENSURE THAT 95 % OF ALL COMPLETED APPLICATIONS FOR CHILD DEVELOPMENT FACILITIES FROM VENDORS WHO PASS THE SUBSEQUENT INITIAL INSPECTION RECEIVE A LICENSE WITHIN 15 CALENDAR DAYS OF RECEIPT.

  • ENSURE THAT 95% OF ALL COMPLETED APPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH CARE FACILITIES AND HOSPITALS FROM VENDORS WHO PASS THE SUBSEQUENT INITIAL INSPECTION WILL RECEIVE A LICENSE WITHIN 45 CALENDAR DAYS.
  • COMPLETE A NEW STATE HEALTH PLAN WHICH WILL PROVIDE THE ESSENTIAL BASIS FOR PLANNING HEALTH CARE SERVICES IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
  • IMPLEMENT THE CHOICE OF TREATMENT LEGISLATION BY ESTABLISHING A VOUCHER PAYMENT SYSTEM FOR PERSONS SEEKING TREATMENT.
  • INCREASE BY 25% RECOUPMENTS FROM PROVIDERS FOR BOTH THIRD PARTY LIABILITIES AND FRAUD AND ABUSE.

  • INCREASE BY 10% GRANT REVENUES DEPARTMENT WIDE.

  • IMPLEMENT INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONTROLS AND OVERSIGHT CONSISTENT WITH THE EFFICIENT MAXIMIZATION OF ALL LOCAL, FEDERAL, PRIVATET AND OTHER FINANCIAL RESOURCES.

CONCLUSION:

PUTTING TOGETHER A BUDGET IS ABOUT MAKING TOUGH CHOICES. IT'S ABOUT TAKING A LIMITED AMOUNT OF RESOURCES AND STRETCHING THEM AS FAR AS THEY CAN GO. IN ITS FY2002 BUDGET, THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS PRIORITIZED ITS ACTIVITIES AND WILL MAXIMIZE ITS RESOURCES TO ACCOMPLISH THE MAYOR'S GOALS OF:

  • BUILDING AND SUSTAINING HEALTH NEIGHBORHOODS
  • STRENGTHENING FAMILIES
  • INVESTING IN CHILDREN AND YOUTH
  • MAKING GOVERNMENT WORK
  • PROMOTING ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
  • ADVANCING UNITY AND PURPOSE AND DEMOCRACY

ULTIMATELY LEADING TO:

  • ONE GOVERNMENT
  • GOOD GOVERNMENT
  • SELF GOVERNMENT

I THANK YOU FOR THIS OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT TESTIMONY AND WILL BE HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

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