TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute an amendment, and any subsequent amendments, to the Memorandum of Understanding with Long Beach Memorial Medical Center to add the designation to purchase pharmaceuticals for indigent patients at Miller Children’s Hospital; and authorize City Manager to execute a Clinical Training Affiliation Agreement, and any subsequent amendments, for family practice residents to work with the City. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
On May 4, 2004, the City entered into an agreement with Long Beach Memorial Medical Center (LBMMC) under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to allow LBMMC to purchase low cost medications under the 340B Drug Pricing Program, which is a component of Public Law 102-585, the Veterans Health Care Act of 1992. Federal law requires LBMMC to obtain the approval of the local governing authority (City Council) in order to receive approval to purchase medications under the 340B program, which allows eligible organizations to purchase outpatient drugs at discounted prices. LBMMC qualified because it is a "disproportionate share hospital" (as that term is defined in the law) providing services to indigent patients in Long Beach. It is the desire to expand this MOU to allow the same provision for patients at Miller Children's Hospital. Under the amended MOU, LBMMC will provide millions of dollars in charity care to patients who are not eligible for Medicare and who are not entitled to Medi-Cal benefits at both hospitals.
LBMMC has also requested the City to enter into a clinical training affiliation agreement to allow family practice physicians to engage in clinical rotations at the City's Health Department. This program is beneficial to the City in that the physicians, while on rotation, learn about the role and function of the Health Department, and the importance of physicians reporting diseases and outbreaks quickly. The physicians provide enhanced clinical capacity during the term of their rotation at the ...
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