The second meeting of the Executive Committee of the Special Advisory Commission of Senior Citizens was held on Friday, October 10, 2003, at 1:00 PM, in Room 327 of the Capitol. Joe Bishop, Vice Chair, called the meeting to order.
Present were:
Members: Joe Bishop, Vice Chair; Peggy Baldridge, Finnell Fields, Phil Hulsman, Abby Marlatt, Pete McNeill, Jean Phelps, Esther Rigby, and Ray Roundtree.
Guests: Andrew Stukenborg and Jon Wilke.
LRC Staff: Katie Carney, Eric Clark, Gerard Donovan, Gilmore Dutton, Louis Pierce, and John Snyder.
Vice Chairman Bishop welcomed the members, staff, and guests to the Executive Committee meeting. Vice Chairman Bishop informed members that Chairman Veazey has been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
Vice Chairman Bishop stated that the purpose of the Executive Committee meeting was to review agendas for the Commission’s general sessions on Thursday and Friday, November 6-7, 2003, and the subcommittee meetings on November 6-7, 2003.
Dr. Marlatt announced that an article in the Courier Journal, written on September 13, 2003 about the United Way, quoted Commission member Mr. Irving Lipetz. Dr. Marlatt provided staff with a copy of the article for the Commission’s file. Vice Chairman Bishop suggested the Executive Committee should present Mr. Lipetz with a card at the upcoming November meeting of the full Commission.
Vice Chairman Bishop asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the Executive Committee meeting on April 2, 2003. Dr. Hulsman moved to approve the minutes, seconded by Dr. Marlatt. The minutes were approved.
Vice Chairman Bishop directed the members’ attention to several documents contained in their meeting folders, namely: minutes of the April 2, 2003, Executive Committee meeting; updated membership lists; a listing of newly-appointed members; and a proposed agenda for the November 6-7, 2003, full Commission meeting.
Vice Chairman Bishop recognized Mr. Dutton for a review of the agenda for the Commission’s general sessions on November 6-7, 2003. Mr. Dutton announced that the speakers for the general session on Thursday will be Representative Mike Weaver and Senator Dan Seum, Co-Chairs for the Interim Joint Committee on Seniors, Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection. Representative Weaver and Senator Seum’s program will address “How Senior Citizen Issues Will Fare in the 2004 Session of the General Assembly.” Mr. Dutton announced that the speaker for the Thursday evening session would be Ms. Fran Spain from Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Ms. Spain is nationally recognized as a humorist and motivational speaker. Mr. Dutton added that Ms. Spain is an advocate for senior citizens. The topic of Ms. Spain’s program will be “One Day at a Time.” Mr. Dutton also announced that the Consumer Affairs and Insurance Subcommittees would be holding an election for Vice Chair in accordance with the Commission’s by-laws. Mr. Dutton stated that the rest of the agenda would be made up of standard items.
Vice Chairman Bishop recognized Mr. Finnell Fields, Chair of the Consumer Affairs Subcommittee, who reported that the subcommittee’s November agenda would include the following:
(1) An election for Vice Chair;
(2) A discussion with Mr. Harold Turner with the Consumer Protection Division with the Office of Attorney General; and
(3) An open discussion to determine the subcommittee’s Legislative recommendations.
Vice Chairman Bishop recognized Dr. Phil Hulsman, Vice Chair of the Health and Human Services Subcommittee. Dr. Hulsman referred to Mr. Eric Clark staff for the subcommittee, who reported that the subcommittee’s November agenda would include the following:
(1) Comments from Chairwoman Jeane Robertson;
(2) A discussion on the impact of Medicaid’s Cost Containment Strategies on Senior Care with Dennis Boyd, Director of Planning and Development of the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Louisville;
(3) A discussion of Olmstead issues with Paula Holbrook and Shane O’Donley with the Office of General Counsel at the Cabinet for Health Services;
(4) A discussion on Veteran’s Affairs with Marty Pinkston with the Executive’s Staff Advisory with the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs; and
(5) An open discussion to determine the subcommittee’s Legislative recommendations.
Vice Chairman Bishop recognized Mr. Pete McNeill, Chair of the Taxation Subcommittee. Mr. McNeill referred to Ms. Peggy Baldridge Vice Chair of the subcommittee and Mr. Lou Pierce, staff for the subcommittee, who reported that the subcommittee’s November agenda, would include the following:
(1) A discussion of taxation on retirement income;
(2) A discussion of home health care for the elderly; and
(3) An open discussion to determine the subcommittee’s Legislative recommendations.
Mr. Pierce noted that currently there are no speakers scheduled, however he is working on confirming a speaker from the Kentucky Revenue Cabinet for the discussion of taxation on retirement income, and a speaker for the discussion of home health care for the elderly from the Kentucky Home Health Association.
Vice Chairman Bishop recognized Mr. Ray Roundtree, Chair of the Insurance Subcommittee, who reported that the subcommittee’s November agenda would include the following:
(1) An election for Vice Chair;
(2) A discussion of medical malpractice insurance with Mr. William Doll with the Kentucky Medical Association and Mr. Tyler Thompson with the Kentucky Academy of Trial Attorneys; and
(3) An open discussion to determine the subcommittee’s Legislative recommendations.
Vice Chairman Bishop recognized Ms. Esther Rigby, Chair of the Taxation Subcommittee, who reported that the subcommittee’s November agenda would include the following:
(1) A discussion lead by Mr. John Snyder, staff for the subcommittee, relating to a potential check-off on the Income Tax Return for Mass Transit;
(2) An update on driver license renewal procedures from Mr. Snyder;
(3) An overview of Florida’s Commission for the Transportation Disadvantage from Mr. Snyder; and
(4) An open discussion to determine the subcommittee’s Legislative recommendations.
Vice Chairman Bishop asked if there is any other business to come before the committee. Dr. Abby Marlatt asked that future Executive Committee meetings not to be held on a Friday. Mr. Dutton asked members if there is a preferred day to have an Executive Committee meeting. A consensus was reached to hold upcoming Executive Committee meetings on a Monday.
Vice Chairman Bishop recognized Ms. Rigby. Ms. Rigby asked if there is a difference in cost for a plated meal versus a buffet for dinner. Mr. Dutton responded that there was not a significant difference in the cost.
Vice Chairman Bishop recognized Mr. Dutton for a review of the nominating committee report. Mr. Dutton announced that the nominating committee will be giving a report at the opening general session and that there will not be any nominations accepted from the floor until May 2004.
Mr. Dutton reminded members to turn in their travel vouchers.
Vice Chairman Bishop announced the next meeting of the full Commission would be held November 6-7, 2003, followed by a meeting of the full Commission on May 6-7, 2004.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2:05 p.m.