ADOPTED - MARCH 9, 2004
Agenda Item No. 19

Introduced by the Human Services and Finance Committees of the:

INGHAM COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE AN INTERPRETER SERVICES AGREEMENT WITH THE HOSPITAL PURCHASING SERVICES

RESOLUTION #04-73

WHEREAS, the Health Department provides medical services under State and Federal contracts and receives Medicare and Medicaid payments for services; and

WHEREAS, all of these relationships require the Department to assure that its providers can effectively communicate with the patients; and

WHEREAS, the Department employs people who speak other languages, and contracts with organizations which assist in language interpretation for patients who cannot effectively use the English language; and

WHEREAS, there are languages for which we have no existing means of providing interpretation and times when existing interpreters are not available; and

WHEREAS, the Department has researched other options for interpretation and has concluded that the best option to assure capacity to interpret 150 languages on a full-time basis is Hospital Purchasing Services; and

WHEREAS, the Health Officer has recommended that the Board of Commissioners authorize an Interpreter Services Agreement with Hospital Purchasing Services.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Ingham County Board of Commissioners authorizes an Interpreter Services Agreement with Hospital Purchasing Services to assure 24 hours per day interpreter services for Health Department services and patients.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the period of the agreement shall be March 1, 2004 through February 28, 2007.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Ingham County shall pay Hospital Purchasing Services for interpreter services based on the following aggregate usage:

HPS Price Monthly Usage
$1.59 per minute 1-5000 Minutes
$1.55 per minute 5,000 - 10,000 minutes
$1.49 per minute Over 10,000 Minutes

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Hospital Purchasing Services shall charge the same rate for all 150 languages covered.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board Chairperson is authorized to sign the agreement after review by the County Attorney.

HUMAN SERVICES: Yeas: Hertel, Dedden Weatherwax-Grant, Schor, Severino, Nevin    Nays: None Absent: None Approved 3/1/04

FINANCE: Yeas: Lynch, Grebner, Dedden, Thomas
Nays: None Absent:De Leon, Minter Approved 3/3/04