Item Description:
title
Amd 6 to Agmt A199498 with the MN Dept of Human Services for Ryan White Program Part B HIV/AIDS services, 04/01/19-03/31/24, decrease recv by $2,309,002 for funds not spent
end
Resolution:
body
BE IT RESOLVED, that Amendment 6 to Agreement A199498 with the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) for the purchase of services for persons living with HIV/AIDS during the period of April 1, 2019 through March 31, 2024, decrease the receivable amount for funds not spent by $2,309,002 for a new total receivable amount of $18,018,825 be approved; that the Chair of the Board be authorized to sign the Amendment on behalf of Hennepin County; and that the Controller be authorized to accept and disburse funds as directed; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the sponsorship and acceptance of grant funding for the program by the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners does not imply a continued commitment by Hennepin County for this program when grant funds are no longer available.
end
Background:
Through resolutions 19-0179, 20-0100, 20-0476, 21-0071, 22-0054 and 23-0109 the board has accepted $20,327,827 for the provision of Ryan White Program Part B HIV/AIDS services. DHS is designated as Minnesota’s grant recipient for federal Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act Part B funds to support health and social services for persons living with HIV/AIDS throughout Minnesota. The primary goal of the federal Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program is to provide equitable access to HIV medical care and antiretroviral treatment for low-income people living with HIV.
Amendment 6 corrects the contract amount to remove funds not spent in the 2019-2021 period to prevent DHS encumbrances from exceeding their budget. Underspending was a result of a combination of factors including other sources of funding to pay for core medical services, reduced utilization of services and high staff turnover at some contracted provider agencies; all likely a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program must be the payer of last resort for services that have other funding sources, particularly core medical services like outpatient ambulatory health care and mental health treatment that are covered by both public and private insurance. The waiver of the Medicaid recertification process during the COVID-19 pandemic allowed some clients to remain on Medical Assistance which covered their health care services. The number of clients utilizing services declined in 2020 and still has not returned to the number served in 2019 prior to the COVID-19 outbreak.
This request reduces disparities in the health domain by providing core medical and support services, for persons living with HIV/AIDS in the state.
recommendation
Recommendation from County Administrator: Recommend Approval