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The information-gathering process continued Tuesday, as County officials considered program aspects as they weigh part potential costs and benefits associated with continued operation of the County Health Department’s Certified Home Health Agency (CHHA).  Now that the State has eliminated its aid for such agencies, the County must decide whether the local property tax subsidy required to operate the Agency can be reduced or eliminated, or if the Agency should be sold or transferred to another home health provider.  The County Legislature may  consider the future of the CHHA as early as next month.

Members of the Legislature, the County Board of Health, and Health Department administration and staff heard the perspectives of three expert panelists regarding delivery of home health care services.  Speaking were Randolph Garney, public health director for Genesee County, which divested of its CHHA last year; Johannes Peeters, public health director for Tioga County, which has retained its CHHA; and Liz Norton, retired supervisor of Adult Protective/Long Term Care Services for Tompkins County Social Services.

In a structured process, the panelists responded to written questions on issues including how home care patients are referred and accepted, and services provided; quality of care; the process that would be used should the County decide to divest of its CHHA; and how patients (and potentially current staff) would transition to a new provider.  Among the responses, Mr. Garney, of Genesee County, said he believed his county, and its citizens, were well-served by transfer to a private agency, saying he believes the agency is able to operate more efficiently, and, as a larger entity, has access to more advanced services.  Tioga County director Peeters expressed confidence in his county’s decision to retain its CHHA, saying that in his county the decision was the right one for citizens and made financial sense for his county.

Last month, Tompkins County received a consultant’s analysis that projected deficit funding of around a half-million dollars a year would be needed were the County continue to operate its Agency, but indicated that initiatives to increase productivity and patient caseload could reduce such a shortfall.

Public Health Director Frank Kruppa noted that there will be an opportunity for public comment, as the Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee begins to examine issues related to the CHHA at a special session May 19.  He encouraged individuals to submit written comments, if possible.  The director also recognized and commended staff of his department’s Home Health Agency for the quality care they are providing patients in an extremely challenging time.

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