TITLE
RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY HOSPITAL GOVERNANCE TASKFORCE TO STUDY AND REPORT ON ALTERNATIVE MODELS FOR OPERATING THE PUBLIC HEALTH TRUST TO ENSURE IT HAS THE GOVERNING AND FINANCIAL STRUCTURE NECESSARY TO FULFILL ITS CRUCIAL MISSION

BODY
WHEREAS, the Public Health Trust is in the midst of an economic crisis that appears to be due in large part to its governing structure; and
WHEREAS, the Miami-Dade County Grand Jury in its report dated August 5th, 2010 specifically determined that the Public Health Trust�s �governance must be changed,� explaining �the path to survival requires a change in the governance model for JHS. Without that level of change, we are asking for this financial disaster to repeat itself, over and over again;� and
WHEREAS, other communities have changed the governing and financial structure of their public general hospitals from a government board to a private, not-for-profit 501(3) organization with a board of doctors, community leaders, and health care professionals, as was done, for example, with Tampa General Hospital; and
WHEREAS, still other communities have changed the governing and financial structure of their public general hospital from a county board to an independent tax district, as was done for the North and South Broward Hospital districts; and
WHEREAS, it will benefit members of the Board of County Commissioners and the people and communities of Miami-Dade County to understand the feasibility and benefits of
these and other models of governance as the Board and the community continue to address the economic crisis at the Public Health Trust; and
WHEREAS, the private hospitals in Miami-Dade County have an immense stake in the continued financial and economic success of the Public Health Trust because, if the Public Health Trust is forced to cutback on the number of indigent patients that it treats, a greater number of indigents will appear at the emergency rooms of the private hospitals and the private hospitals will be forced to provide more care to indigents from their own resources,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that the Miami-Dade County Hospital Governance Taskforce is hereby created:
Section 1. The Taskforce shall study possible models for the governance of the Public Health Trust, including but not limited to (a) operation of the Public Health Trust by a private, not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization with a board of doctors, nurses, community leaders, and health care professionals, as was done, for example, with Tampa General Hospital; (b) operation of the Public Health Trust by an independent tax district, as was done for the North and South Broward Hospital districts; (c) other models, perhaps blending these models, as the Taskforce may decide; (d) and other recommendations regarding the governance and financing of the Public Health Trust, as the Taskforce may decide. In its deliberations and recommendations, the Taskforce shall at all times keep in mind the importance of protecting the interests of the taxpayers of our community. The Taskforce will complete its work and file an executive summary of its recommendations with the Clerk of the Board no later than 60 days from the first meeting of the Taskforce and will file a final report no later than 90 days from the first meeting of the Taskforce. The Taskforce will cease to exist 100 days from the first meeting of the Taskforce.
Section 2. Staff for the Taskforce will be provided by the Commission Auditor and additional staff will be provided by the Mayor or Mayor�s designee. In addition, the Mayor or Mayor�s designee is requested and directed to provide the Taskforce any information or analysis it may request, including from sources such as the County Manager�s Office and the Finance Department. The Mayor or Mayor�s designee is directed to provide the Taskforce with meeting facilities and appropriate physical and technical support, including equipment necessary to comply with the Sunshine laws.
Section 3. The County Attorney�s Office will provide legal advice and guidance to the Taskforce.
Section 4. The Taskforce shall consist of twenty (20) members as follows:
(1) The chief executive officer of Baptist Healthcare Systems, Inc. or a member of its executive management team chosen by the chief executive officer;
(2) The chief executive officer of Miami-Children�s Hospital or a member of its executive management team chosen by the chief executive officer;
(3) The chief executive officer of HCA Kendall Regional Medical Center or a member of its executive management team chosen by the chief executive officer;
(4) A chief executive officer of either Hialeah, Northshore Medical Center and Palmetto General Hospital, or a member of their executive management teams chosen by the chief executive officer of Tenet Healthsystems Medical, Inc.;
(5) The chief executive officer of Mt. Sinai Medical Center or a member of its executive management team chosen by the chief executive officer;
(6) The chief executive officer of Mercy Hospital (or its successor hospital or a member of its executive management team chosen by the chief executive officer;
(7) The Administrator, or appointee, of the Florida Department of Health-Miami-Dade County Health Department;
(8) The State Attorney of Miami-Dade County, or designee;
(9) One person appointed by the Mayor;
(10) Five persons chosen by the Board of County Commissioners, including four persons with backgrounds in health care, finance, law, or procurement, including one person who is a current or former chief financial officer of a successful local hospital or hospital system; and a fifth person who is an academic or expert in the area of healthcare;
(11) One representative of the unions at the Public Health Trust chosen by the Board of County Commissioners;
(12) A physician who is a member of the medical executive committee of Jackson Memorial Hospital, chosen by the other members of the Taskforce;
(13) A representative, or designee, from the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems (�NAPH�) based in Washington, D.C., chosen by the NAPH;
(14) A representative of the Florida Nursing Association, chosen by the Florida Nursing Association;
(15) The chief executive officer of Health Foundation of South Florida or a member of its executive management team chosen by the chief executive officer; and
(16) The chief executive officer of South Florida Hospital & Healthcare Association or a member of its executive management team chosen by the chief executive officer.
Because of the vital importance of this project, the chief executive officers of the hospitals, foundations, and associations named above are strongly encouraged to serve personally on the committee. In the event that chief executive officers cannot serve personally, they are encouraged to select an equivalent member from the top of their executive management teams.
Any appointment, choice, or assignment of a designee under this section must be documented by the filing of a written record making the appointment, choice, or assignment with the Clerk of the Commission.