Notice: the VPA Listserv is now in operation. If you haven=t already done so, sign up by e-mailing Jessa Block at: jblock@vtmd.org. Please tell other Vermont psychiatrists about the Listserv. The Listserv can be accessed at:  vpa@vtmd.org

 

 

  VERMONT PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION

 

     Minutes of the Executive Committee Meeting

January 23, 2004

 

Members Present:  Drs. Barton, Danielson, Deppe, Fassler, McMains, Kalibat, Rubin, Siegel and Weker; and Jessa Block, VMS

 

 

Minutes: the November 2003 Executive Committee minutes were approved.

 

 

Announcements: 

 

           1. VPA Bruce Gibbard, M.D. Memorial Award: Richard Bernstein, M.D. was the first recipient of this Award, presented earlier today at the Gibbard Memorial Lecture.

2. VPA Website: Ms. Block announced that the VPA website is now in operation. It can be accessed through the VMS website: www.vtmd.org . It contains minutes and a schedule of events.

3. VPA Mental Health and the Law Luncheon Conference: Friday, February 20, 12 noon, Royal's Hearthside Restaurant, intersection of Routes 4 and 7 in Rutland; to be followed by an Executive Committee meeting

4. VPA Annual Meeting: Friday, March 19, Trapp Family Lodge. Executive Committee meeting will start at 10 a.m., followed by general membership meeting at 12 noon and a presentation on Disaster Training for Psychiatrists from 1-4:30.
The APA Area I Council Meeting takes place at the Trapp Family Lodge on March 19-20, starting with a cocktail hour from 6-7 p.m. (hosted by the VPA) followed by dinner at 7 p.m. VPA members (plus one guest each) are invited to join the Area I Council to both the cocktail hour and the dinner. The cost of the dinner is $50 per person. If interested in attending the dinner, contact Jessa Block at jblock@vtmd.org

5. Risk Management Presentation: a second risk management workshop will be presented in southern Vermont in May. Specific date, time and location to be announced.
 

  

Reports:  

1.    Treasurer's report: Dr. Fassler reported that the VPA treasury presently stands at $89,520.75; however, $17,954.00 of this sum represents the Maine Psychiatric Association's portion of the APA grant for public relations training and is being forwarded to the MPA.

Old Business:

 

1. Psychiatric Recruitment to Vermont: the Executive Committee continued to discuss strategies, including the involvement of the Area Health Education Centers, which has been performing primary care recruitment and outreach in the state..

2. Vermont State Hospital: Dr. McMains reported on the ongoing improvements and review processes. Needed services have been instituted. The Futures Report, prepared by the Public Consulting Group, is available at www.state.vt.us/dmh . The most recent consultant opined that the hospital is now ready to re-apply for certification. The census has been quite high.

3. FAHC Inpatient Psychiatry: Dr. Fassler reported that dialogue is continuing with BISHCA. The unit will be designed so that patients can walk out into courtyard. The state has been very adamant about adequate resources for both the interim and final unit plans.
 

 

New Business:

 

1. Legislation: Ms. Block highlighted the following items among the many that have been introduced in this legislative session:

1. Legislation: Ms. Block highlighted the following items among the many that have been introduced in this legislative session:

a. H. 493: Prescription Drug Programs and Practices: Ms. Block reported that Rep. Tom Koch, chair of the House Health & Welfare Committee, has introduced a bill that addresses making permanent Medicaid's preferred drug formulary exemption for patients with severe and persistent mental illness. A comparable bill in the Senate does not include this language, although the sponsor, Sen. Jim Leddy, is reportedly willing to incorporate this provision. The Executive Committee considered the possibility that opposition to this exemption might materialize due to its cost. Committee members will obtain data and consult with other interest parties to support extending the exemption.

b. H. 558: Licensing Standards for VSH: This bill would remove VSH's exemption from state licensing standards. Dr. McMains explained that this would principally address the governance of the hospital and would likely make the hospital's Board more independent. Fuller implications are unclear at this time.

c. H. 619: Involuntary Confinement: This bill would decrease from the current >30 days to 5 days the amount of time in which a patient admitted to a hospital on an emergency examination must have a hearing regarding involuntary confinement. The details of the bill (including whether it specifically pertains to situations in which involuntary treatment is at issue) were unclear at this time.

2. Job Advertisements in VPA Communications: It was moved, seconded and passed unanimously that prospective advertisers be permitted to advertise psychiatric positions on the VPA web site and in the newsletter. Only postings for positions in Vermont will be accepted;.other advertisements would not be accepted in any VPA communications. Job advertisements will not be permitted on the listserv. The cost of an advertisement is $100 for one month posting on the web page or for one issue of the newsletter.

3. (To be taken up at the next Executive Committee meeting): Patient Access Difficulties to Mental Health Centers.a. H. 493: Prescription Drug Programs and Practices: Ms. Block reported that Rep. Tom Koch, chair of the House Health & Welfare Committee, has introduced a bill that addresses making permanent Medicaid's preferred drug formulary exemption for patients with severe and persistent mental illness. A comparable bill in the Senate does not include this language, although the sponsor, Sen. Jim Leddy, is reportedly willing to incorporate this provision. The Executive Committee considered the possibility that opposition to this exemption might materialize due to its cost. Committee members will obtain data and consult with other interest parties to support extending the exemption.

b. H. 558: Licensing Standards for VSH: This bill would remove VSH's exemption from state licensing standards. Dr. McMains explained that this would principally address the governance of the hospital and would likely make the hospital's Board more independent. Fuller implications are unclear at this time.

c. H. 619: Involuntary Confinement: This bill would decrease from the current >30 days to 5 days the amount of time in which a patient admitted to a hospital on an emergency examination must have a hearing regarding involuntary confinement. The details of the bill (including whether it specifically pertains to situations in which involuntary treatment is at issue) were unclear at this time.

2. Job Advertisements in VPA Communications: It was moved, seconded and passed unanimously that prospective advertisers be permitted to advertise psychiatric positions on the VPA web site and in the newsletter. Only postings for positions in Vermont will be accepted;.other advertisements would not be accepted in any VPA communications. Job advertisements will not be permitted on the listserv. The cost of an advertisement is $100 for one month posting on the web page or for one issue of the newsletter.

3. (To be taken up at the next Executive Committee meeting): Patient Access Difficulties to Mental Health Centers.

 

The meeting was adjourned.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Jonathan L. Weker, M.D.