COMMITTEE ON BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS

MINUTES: September 15, 2004

BUDGET & APPROPRIATIONS MEMBERS: Chair: Kaplowitz; Legislators: Bronz, LaMotte, Oros, Ryan, Stewart-Cousins

HEALTH MEMBERS: Chair: Stewart-Cousins; Legislators:

IN ATTENDANCE: CE’s office: K. Ryan; Budget: A. Vietro, D. Cabrera; DoH: J. Lipsman; WCHD: Allison Lake, Beth Lorezen, Augusta Rodriguez, Raquel Gonzales Catherine Hopkins, M. Klein, The Journal News; B. Strauss, H. Corbin; BOL: B. Boland, S. Bass, R. Indelicato, S. Vanderberg

With quorums present, the Committees on Budget and Appropriations and Health were called to order at 10:25 a.m.

The meeting was called to discuss the eventual closing of the Westchester County Health Department. Dr. Lipsman explained the dental clinics as a service have been in the process of being phased out gradually over the last ten years for a variety of reasons, one of which being the growth of Neighborhood Health Centers and their increased ability to take provide dental and health care in 1 location. He added as of now the clinics only serve children, and that number has been in decline over the last few years.

Legislators were disturbed by the decision to close the clinics on or by October, 2004 despite the Board of Legislatures addition of funds in the County’s Operating Budget for the 2004 Fiscal Year.

Dr. Lipsman was confident the needs of all former patients would be met at the neighborhood health centers, adding many patients had contacted the clinics for their records as they had been notified to do in light of the clinic closing.

Employees of the Clinics were in conflict with Dr. Lipsman’s accounting of the situation and were skeptical of his description as to the ease of transition for both patients and employees.

The extensive discussion which ensued is available in its entirety on tape for review.

With no further business to discuss, both Committees adjourned at 11:35 am.