Explanation
BACKGROUND: The City of Columbus received funds for the Ryan White Part A HIV Emergency Relief Grant Program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration. This grant requires Columbus Public Health to assure quality medical care to eligible persons living with HIV or AIDS in central Ohio (Franklin, Licking, Delaware, Morrow, Union, Madison, Pickaway and Fairfield counties). The Board of Health will contract with various medical providers to provide HIV-related somatic medical care. To reduce barriers to health care, Columbus Public Health seeks a diversity of medical providers, thus giving clients a choice in receiving care at an academic medical center, HIV specialty clinic, or community-based physician's office.
The HIV Care Part A grant's purpose is to improve access to medical care for persons living with HIV or AIDS living in Central Ohio. The goal is that each client will achieve viral suppression, which improves their quality of life and reduces the risk of spreading the infection. This grant will enhance medical services for both somatic and behavioral health. It will pay for HIV related doctor's visits, mental health services, substance abuse services, and some oral health care. It also will strengthen the case management and linkage to care (or patient navigation) elements. Columbus is eligible for HIV Care Part A because it has been severely affected by the HIV epidemic. This means that there were at least 1,000, but fewer than 2,000, cases of AIDS reported and confirmed during the most recent period of five calendar years.
These services were advertised through vendor services (SA004818) in February, 2013 according to bidding requirements of the City Code. All interested vendors identified during the grant period who meet the requirements of SA004818 will receive a contract. Each individual contract amount will be determined during the grant period based on client demand for each medical provider.
This ordinance is submitted as an emergency so as to allow the financial transaction to be posted in the City's accounting system as soon as possible. Up to date financial posting promotes accurate accounting and financial management.
FISCAL IMPACT: These contracts are entirely funded by a grant award from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration.
Title
To authorize the Board of Health to enter into contracts with various community medical providers for the provision of HIV-related somatic medical care to persons living with HIV or AIDS in Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Morrow, Pickaway, and Union counties, for the period April 1, 2013 through February 28, 2014; to authorize the expenditure of $600,000.00 from the Health Department Grants Fund to pay the costs thereof; and to declare an emergency. ($600,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, Columbus Public Health has received funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, for the Ryan White Part A HIV Emergency Relief Grant Program; and,
WHEREAS, to reduce barriers to health care, Columbus Public Health seeks a diversity of medical providers, thus giving clients a choice in receiving care at an academic medical center, HIV specialty clinic, or community-based physician's office; and,
WHEREAS, in order to ensure service provisions under the program, it is necessary to enter into contracts with various community medical providers for the provision of HIV-related somatic medical care to persons living with HIV or AIDSin Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Morrow, Pickaway, and Union counties; and,
WHEREAS, the contract periods are April 1, 2013 through February 28, 2014; and,
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Health Department in that it is immediately necessary to enter into a contract with various community medical providers for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; Now, therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the Board of Health is hereby authorized to enter into contracts with various medical service providers for the provision of HIV-related somatic medical care to persons living with HIV or AIDS in Delaware, Fairfield, Franklin, Licking, Madison, Morrow, Pickaway, and Union counties, for the period of April 1, 2013 through February 28, 2014.
SECTION 2. That to pay the cost of said contracts, the expenditure of $600,000.00 is hereby authorized from the Health Department Grants Fund, Fund No. 251, Department of Health, Department No. 50-01, Grant No. 501314, OCA Code 501314, Object Level One 03, Object Level Three 3351.
SECTION 3. That these contracts are awarded in accordance with Sections 329.12 and 329.14 of the Columbus City Code.
SECTION 4. That the funds necessary to carry out the purpose of this ordinance are hereby deemed appropriated, and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That for reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor, or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.