FAMILY CARE---VERY IMPORTANT WINNEBAGO COUNTY BOARD MEETING--TUESDAY APRIL 21 READ AND SPEAK OUT

How does one plan on reducing costs ? By increasing staff and creating another quasi-governmental entity.

What am I talking about. The Winnebago County Board is considering a resolution at its Tuesday April 21 meeting to join with two other counties creating a Longterm Care District. This district which if approved by the county board, in conjunction with two other counties Fond Du Lac and Manitowoc, would be self governing agency with a board of its own to carryout services and programs for those needing long tern care. namely those who are elderly and developmentally disabled.

This a governing board separate from any other- while its members are selected by the county executive in each county and approved by the county boards the board is completely answerable to themselves.

It also have to add staff to help run this district. Some as adding more nurses probably are needed to prevent medical conditions for someone getting worse. But it also keeps on and adds some additional administrative personnel.

How do they save ?? Probably the same way the similar organization in place in Fond Du Lac has done it-creating a $8 million surplus. By scrutinizing the services a member receives or by squeezing providers. It is a system that the bigger the organization the provider is the more they can survive. Thus hurting and cutting out local providers of services.

Also not known is how this effect current Winnebago County employees, will union workers still be able part of a union ? Will workers lose all that have earned and gained by being a Winnebago County union employee ??


There are many questions and concerns about join a longterm care district with these two counties. I am concerned about the size and make up of the governing board and how the this MCO(Managed Care Organization) will operate. They have a $8 million dollar surplus and been at meetings where a member in Fond Du Lac county was given reduced service while a another member was given added service of lawn/sidewalk care.

If you are concerned as I am please contact your county board supervisor to find out more and express your views or come to the WINNEBAGO COUNTY BOARD MEETING TUESDAY APRIL 21, 2009 AT 6:00 PM IN THE 4TH FLOOR BOARD ROOM.