03/15/1978
-
00706
MINUTES OF BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING - March 15, 1978
- .
Present: Mr. George Chadwick, Chairman, Dr. James Furr, Dr. William Eakins,
Mrs. Vivian Wright, Mrs. Roma Lee Hall, Mr. R. E. Carter, Mr. J. R.
Reaves, Mr. Deother Melvin and Mr James Fox, Attorney
Absent Dr. Murray Seidel
Minutes of the February meeting were approved as presented.
Report of Committee on Septic Tanks: Mr J. R. Reaves, Chairman of this
committee reports that this committee does not yet have a final recommendation.
Report of Committee on WIC Program: Dr. James Furr, Chairman of this committee
presented the attached report. Dr. Furr then asked that the report be tabled
to be discussed during the budget session. Motion was seconded and carried.
Budget. Mr Chadwick reported that he had discussed a standing budget committee
for the Board of Health with several members of the board. The board members
present were in agreement with this proposal - this committee to be active all
year. Mr. Chadwick appointed Dr. James Furr, Mr. R. E. Carter, Dr. Murray
Seidel and Mr. Deother Melvin to this committee. Mr. Chadwick will serve as
as ex-officio member.
~~
The budget as presented was discussed and there was a general agreement among
the members of the board that the percentage of increase in the budget and the
county money required was too great. Mr. Reaves made a motion that the budget
committee meet and trim this budget, with the feelings of this board in mind.
Dr. Furr seconded the motion. Motion carried. Mrs. Wright suggested that the
board consider making a recommendation to the Commissioners that the 6% Cost
of Living raises proposed for the 1978-79 year be cut out. It was suggested
that Dr Finger go back to his department heads and ask for recommdations
for cutting the budget.
There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
Approved: April 5, 1978
Respectfully submitted,
7fL~C 73- z:f:J~
------_._._.~,.,---
-
REPORT
WIC Study Committee
Board of Health, New Hanover County
March 15, 1978
Your WIC Study Committee, after an exhaustive study unanimously suggest
that the New Hanover County Board of Health not enter into the WIC program,
This conclusion was reached because we felt the program suffers from
inadequate controls as well as federal guidelines which are too broad. We
have very serious reservations about the Criteria for Priority used in the
acceptance of participants and it is our opinion that the cost of such a
program is excessive in light of the documented benefits and the small
number of county residents who would benefit versus the total number of
residents who could benefit from a nutritional program designed for the
entire population.
Many of our doubts and conclusions are supported by statements from
the summary of the Medical Evaluation of the Special Supplemental Food
Program for WIC from which the following statements are quoted.
Quote: "The medical benefits of the WIC program have been described
in terms of measurable changes in anthroprometric, dietary and biochemical
indices as required by the contract with FNS. It should be pointed out
however, that the underlying assumption that these benefits represent
improvements to the health and well-being of the participants mayor may
not be true. It would be impossible, for instance, to state with any
degree of assurance whether or not an increase of 0.4g/l00 ml in hemoglobin
concentration improved the health of a given individual. The answer depends
on several factors such as the initial level of hemoglobin and the physio-
logical level appropiate for that individual."
"Income was the most commonly used guideline for selection of partici-
pants." ____n "An alternative to income as a basis for eligibility is to
identify individuals with the lowest values for selected nutritional indices.
Unfortunately, efforts to determine the differential impact of the program
according to initial individual results are not very productive." ______
"'1'0 sum up, the measurable effects of the WIC program are considered I real'
health benefits to the participants because the initial values for several
of the indices investigated were below the accepted standards and the
program moved them closer to the standards. The long term benefits of the
WIC program should be investigated. Income poverty ratio provided a satis-
factory guideline for eligibility. The study did not provide medical
justification for exclusion of potentially eligible participants on the
basis of their initial measurements." end quote.
_______._...1....._
On behalf of the study committee, I present the fOllowing motion for
your consideration:
Be it Resolved: That the New Hanover County Board of Health not
participate in the WIC program.
Recognizing the importance of good nutrition for all people, the com-
mittee has an alternative proposal to make. We propose that the Board of
Health seek funds to employ a nutritionist and structure our own program
to aid county residents to more wisely utilize their food resources and funds.
In such a program we could use our same clinics and referring physicians as
a source of referral for those at NUTRITIONAL RISK and we could have the
Priority Criteria reworked by our local medical advisors. Such a program
would be totally under our control. This program would differ from WIC in
three major ways:
1) There would be no food supplement dispensed by the Board of
Health. Where applicable we would encourage the use of parti-
cipants Food Stamps or food money to purchase foods prescribed
by the nutritionist.
2) The full cost of this nutritionist would be carried by the
taxpayers of New Hanover County.
3) For a much smaller expenditure of $12,000 to $15,000 we would
hope to offer nutritional guidelines to a much larger segment of
of our population.
Therefore, The Study Committee presents the following motion for
your consideration:
Be It Resolved: That the New Hanover County Board of Health request
funds from the County Commissioners in this years
budget request to employ a nutritionist and to
establish a nutritional educational program in
the county.
Respectively Submitted,
Roma Lee Hall
Murray Seidel
James E. Furr, Jr.
WIC Study Committee
007e8
MINUTES OF BOARD OF HEALTH MEETING - SPECIAL CALLED MEETING - March 28, 1978
.-.........
Present: All Members of the Board
--
Budget: This special meeting was called to act on the proposed budget for
1978-79. The budget committee ( Dr. Murray Seidel, Mr. Deother Melvin,
Dr. James Furr and Mr. R. E. Carter) had met for a total of at least six
hours to consider ways of reducing the budget.
Dr. Seidel made the budget presentation as proposed by the committee. The
committee asked that all new positions requested be eliminated from the
budget and that for this year the merit raises not be granted.
Since the WIC Committee had tabled their report until the budget was dis-
cussed, Dr. Furr again presented the recommendations of this committee in
the form of motions. Mr. Reaves seconded the motions. Motions as presented
were as fo II ows :
I. That we not participate in the WIC Program. This motion failed by a
five to four vote.
2. That we request funds to employ a nutritionist and establish our own
nutrition program. This motion was defeated by a unanimous vote.
After much discussion on the WIC Program and the above votes - motion was
made that debate be cut off. Motion carried.
r .
-
Mr. Melvin made a motion that the New Hanover County Board of Health accept
the WIC Program on a one year pilot basis - under the direction of the Board
of Health and not in conjunction with Region "0". Motion was seconded by
Dr. Seidel. The vote was tied - four and four. The Chairman of the Board
asked that he be allowed to seek legal advice and asked that final vote be
delayed until the April 5th meeting. All members of the Board were in agree-
ment that this be done.
Dr. Seidel made a motion that the budget be accepted as recommended by the
budget committee, subject to audit corrections. This was seconded by Mrs.
Hall. Motion carried with all members voting YES - with the exception of
Mrs. Wright who abstained since she is a member of the County Commission.
There being no further business the meeting was adjourned.
Approved' April 5, 1978
Respectfully submitted,
7Yl~ 73 :fJ~
-