June 5, 2013
The Central Health Board of Managers approved adoption of the Master Agreement with Seton Healthcare Family, as well as ancillary documents, at their regular meeting on Wednesday, June 5. The Master Agreement begins the implementation of the mandate given by Travis County voters last fall with the passage of Proposition 1 to strengthen the local healthcare safety net system and to transform the delivery system.
The agreement effectively establishes the operation of the Community Care Collaborative, a new integrated healthcare delivery system for Travis County and replaces the University Medical Center Brackenridge (UMCB) lease as the document that governs the relationship between Central Health and Seton Healthcare Family.
“I know change can create uncertainty, and that is why we have worked so diligently to make sure this Master Agreement with Seton provides the best outcome for our entire community. This agreement helps us meet the healthcare needs of our current population and attempt to get ahead of the curve on the needs of this rapidly expanding population,” Central Health Board of Managers Chairperson Rosie Mendoza said.
The ancillary documents include the related Lease Agreement for University Medical Center Brackenridge, the Services Agreement for health care services provided for Central Health clients and charity care patients by Seton at other facilities, and bylaws for the Community Care Collaborative. These formalized documents are the result of the Letter of Intent signed and approved by both Central Health and Seton last spring.
“The voters backed a vision to address our future needs: build a medical school, a teaching hospital and create an integrated delivery system for healthcare. This agreement provides the basis to move ahead with the vision by implementing this mandate, strengthening our safety net system and transforming our delivery system. We believe it’s the most important thing Central Health has ever done,” Central Health President & CEO Patricia A. Young Brown said.
Prior to approval, three public presentations were made at Central Health Board of Managers meetings on May 1, May 15 and May 22. Downloadable presentations and video excerpts from those meetings, as well as a copy of the original Letter of Intent, are all available at www.CentralHealth.net/community-partnerships/master-agreement/.