OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

HHC Board of Trustees Meeting - July 29, 2026

Other Meetings (A-H) — Wednesday, July 29, 2026
BodyIndianapolis, Indiana
SessionOther Meetings (A-H)
DateWednesday, July 29, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:13:58

Transcript — Verbatim
0:20

As we gather this day, we offer our gratitude for all who give of themselves in trusteeship of the work that we do in this community in labor at the side of those in need and all of those who provide the information that is vital for decisions to be made.

0:41

May wisdom this day be found in this place.

0:45

May our resources be directed toward the common good.

0:49

And so may we find health, healing, and strength for all whom we serve.

0:57

Amen.

0:59

Thank you, Bishop Rob.

1:02

I'll begin by call call meeting to order.

1:09

Vice Chairperson Drummer.

1:10

President.

1:12

Trustee Du Set is not with us today.

1:16

Trustee Dr.

1:18

Fish.

1:19

Present.

1:19

Trustee Hannafee.

1:21

Present.

1:21

Trustee Horn.

1:22

Present.

1:23

Trustee O'Brien.

1:24

Present.

1:25

And Chairman Lazard is here as well.

1:28

The first item of business is the consent agenda, which consists of the the uh board minutes from uh June 16, 2026.

1:45

Um the memorandum of executive session from June 16, 2026.

1:51

Our uh Treasurer and CFO report, which includes the June 2026 cash disbursements, client privilege forms, uh the advanced practice registered uh nurse, physician assistant, obstetric synacology, or orthopeediatrics, radiology, radiology, and associate staff's surgery, surgery, associate staff, also medical staff appointments, reappointments, and changes to privileges, and the medical staff policies number 700-103 medical education, patient care involvement, and number 700-114 board certification.

2:36

Uh is there a motion to approve the consent agenda?

2:40

I'll move it.

2:41

It's been been moved by Trustee Hannafee, seconded by Trustee O'Brien.

2:46

Are there any comments from any of the board at this time?

2:52

Uh hearing no comments, uh, we'll do a uh roll call vote.

2:57

Uh uh Vice Chairperson Drummer.

3:00

Yes.

3:01

Uh Trustee De said is absent.

3:03

Uh Trustee uh Dr.

3:05

Fish.

3:06

Yes.

3:06

Trustee uh Hannafee.

3:08

Yes.

3:08

Trustee Horn.

3:10

Yes.

3:10

Trustee O'Brien.

3:11

Yes.

3:11

Trustee Lazard votes yes.

3:13

Motion carries six zero one not here.

3:18

Uh so the consent agenda is approved.

3:22

Uh that takes us to the next matter on our our agenda, the general ordinance number one-2026, the adoption of the Marion County Public Health uh fee schedule.

3:34

Um which is that uh the ordinance uh will now be read uh for a second time.

3:44

Um it was read the first time at our June 16, 2026 board meeting, and we now read by uh our general counsel, Ann O'Connor.

3:55

Number one-2026 adoption of MCPHDB schedule.

4:02

Uh next we will hear uh an overview of the ordinance presented by Tara Parkman Parchman, uh Director of Finance, Marion County Public Health Department.

4:13

You have a microphone near you, Tara.

4:24

Good afternoon, thank you, trustee.

4:26

Um in terms of the ordinance for um the public health department, we uh looked at our fees that we currently have, in particular related to our immunization services, and uh what we are currently charging.

4:39

A lot of our fees have been steady and level over the past few years, and of course, as um our supply increases and also the cost of those vaccines increases, increase.

4:51

We looked at what uh vaccines we needed to reassess and look at increase in those fees in terms of the cost that we're actually charging to our patients at our um clinic operations.

5:04

We also looked at expanding our services as it relates to our dental um health department, our dental services department, and one area that we looked at was providing crowns to our patients.

5:16

Um, and so what you see before you is a recommendation to provide crowns um at the amount that's stated in the fee schedule, so we can offer that service um to the clients that we serve as well too.

5:29

So combine between our immunizations that we uh receive and those that we felt like we needed to increase because of the supply cost increases over the years, as well as offering the new services for uh dental for crowns.

5:44

We are recommended before the board the adoption of the uh current fee schedule before you thank you, uh Tara.

5:55

Uh no one signed up for public comment.

5:59

Um so are there any comments from any of the board members at this time questions?

6:07

Um Chair Lazard, you need to open the public hearing on this matter and close it since there's no signal.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Health██████████████████████████████████████38%
Budget█████████████████████████25%
Public Engagement███████████████15%
Mental Health Awareness██████████10%
Procedural█████5%
Public Safety███3%
Construction Projects██2%
Public Education██2%
Summary of Proceedings

HHC Board of Trustees Meeting - July 29, 2026

The Health and Hospital Corporation (HHC) of Marion County Board of Trustees met on July 29, 2026, at 16:45 UTC. The meeting covered approval of consent agenda, adoption of a public health fee schedule, first reading of the 2027 budget, a public hearing on a bond issuance, nomination of a mental health advisory board member, and reports from various divisions. Key themes included financial challenges from state and federal policy changes, declining Medicaid enrollment, and preparations for service transitions.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved unanimously (6-0-1, with Trustee Du Set absent) the consent agenda which included: board minutes from June 16, 2026, executive session memorandum, Treasurer and CFO report (including June 2026 cash disbursements, client privilege forms, medical staff appointments/reappointments, and medical staff policy updates), and medical staff policy changes.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • One individual, Bob Urban, signed up to speak but declined, opting to meet with staff after the meeting. No public comments were made.

Discussion Items

General Ordinance No. 1-2026 – Adoption of Marion County Public Health Fee Schedule

  • Presented by Tara Parchman, Director of Finance, MCPHD. The ordinance updates fees for immunization services (to reflect increased vaccine supply costs) and adds a new service: dental crowns. The fee schedule was read for the second time (first reading June 16, 2026). A public hearing was opened and closed with no speakers. The board approved the ordinance via roll call (6-0-1).

General Ordinance No. 2-2026 – 2027 Budget (First Reading)

  • Introduced by Chair Lazard and presented by CFO James Simpson. The proposed budget totals $2.95 billion in expenditures, up $200 million from 2026. Key highlights:
    • General Fund: balanced budget (compared to $25M deficit in 2026), achieved through $5.2M in headquarters expense reductions.
    • Eskenazi Health Enterprise Fund: facing $155M in revenue headwinds (state directed payment plan changes, 340B reductions, payer mix shifts). Balanced budget achieved via $32.7M in operating expenditure reductions and a 3% volume reduction assumption.
    • Cumulative Building Fund: $51.7M deficit, funded by prior fund balance. Major capital projects include Hasbrook renovation, PCAR expansion, and park partnership construction.
    • Long-term Care: balanced budget, occupancy averaging 76.5%, projected to increase to 77.7%. Three new facilities added in mid-2026.
    • The budget includes merit increases and assumes no property tax levy for the Eskenazi bond retirement fund (the referendum levy remains unused).
  • The ordinance will be presented for public hearing at the August 11, 2026 meeting, with a vote scheduled for August 25, 2026.

Preliminary Determination to Issue Bonds (First Public Hearing)

  • Presented by James Simpson. The board seeks approval to issue $25 million in general obligation bonds (maximum term 20 years, max interest rate 6%) to fund:
    • Construction/renovation of three ambulance stations (housing four ambulances/medic units).
    • Potential real estate purchase near Hasbrook campus and security system upgrades.
  • Estimated maximum debt service levy: $2.56 million annually; tax rate: 0.0039 per $100,000. Expected interest rate ~4.05%, reducing levy to ~$2.1 million.
  • Current 2024 bonds will be fully paid by end of 2026. No property tax levy currently imposed for bond retirement.
  • A second public hearing will be held August 25, 2026, followed by City-County Council approval in October 2026.

Nomination to Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center Advisory Board

  • Dr. Ashley Overly nominated Abigail Lewis, a lived-experience mental health advocate and Manager of Programs and Training at NAMI Indiana. The advisory board voted unanimously to recommend her. The board approved the nomination (6-0-1).

Reports

Eskenazi Health (CEO Dr. Harris)

  • Burn Symposium: September 17-18, 2026, at the Richard M. Fairbanks Burn Center.
  • Parking garage upgrades: Minimal disruption expected.
  • Maternal health program: New Northeast Indianapolis program for pregnant individuals.
  • Payer mix challenges: Medicaid enrollment in Marion County declined 29% from April 2025 to June 2026 (over 95% of disenrollments are procedural, not due to ineligibility). Federal legislation (HR1) will add work requirements in January 2027. Eskenazi has 90+ financial eligibility specialists assisting patients.

Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center (Dr. Overly)

  • Transition of services from Community Fairbanks Behavioral Health: on track for August 17 (clubhouse and two residential sites) and September 14 (outpatient clinic on East 16th Street). 60 new FTEs will be added; 90% of incumbent staff have applied. 14 new school-based counseling sites added. Eskenazi Health Pharmacy will replace Genoa in the fall.

Indianapolis Emergency Medical Services (Chief)

  • 23 new EMTs/paramedics sworn in on July 3, 2026.
  • Responded to 131 heat-related calls during two heat waves; set single-day response record of 474 calls on July 15, 2026.
  • Fleet upgrades: three new district lieutenant vehicles and new ambulances.
  • Upcoming coverage: Indiana State Fair (Aug 7-23), Colts games, Garth Brooks concert.

Long-Term Care (Julie White)

  • Q1 2026 data: 95% of residents/families satisfied; HHC averaged 3.3 deficiencies per survey (vs. state 5.8, national 7.4). 60 facilities achieved 3+ star CMS rating (up from 57 in 2025).
  • Capital expenditure: $25M budgeted ($19M planned, $6M emergency).
  • Lease extension discussions with landlord Rothner.
  • Five facilities won Bronze, four won Silver AHCA Quality Awards; one facility under review for Gold.

Eskenazi Health Foundation (Angela White)

  • Disbursed 69% of projected $4M from restricted funds; fundraising at 44% of goal as of July 7.
  • Major gifts: $250,000 for CCBHC evaluation metrics, $25,000 for art at West 38th Street Clinic, $20,000 for violence intervention program. Pending $3.6M in major requests.

Key Outcomes

  • Consent agenda approved (6-0-1).
  • General Ordinance No. 1-2026 adopted (6-0-1).
  • General Ordinance No. 2-2026 (2027 budget) introduced for first reading; public hearing set for August 11, 2026.
  • Preliminary bond determination first public hearing held; second hearing and vote on August 25, 2026.
  • Abigail Lewis appointed to Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center Advisory Board (6-0-1).
  • Next regular meeting: August 11, 2026, primarily for the budget public hearing.

Meeting Transcript

As we gather this day, we offer our gratitude for all who give of themselves in trusteeship of the work that we do in this community in labor at the side of those in need and all of those who provide the information that is vital for decisions to be made. May wisdom this day be found in this place. May our resources be directed toward the common good. And so may we find health, healing, and strength for all whom we serve. Amen. Thank you, Bishop Rob. I'll begin by call call meeting to order. Vice Chairperson Drummer. President. Trustee Du Set is not with us today. Trustee Dr. Fish. Present. Trustee Hannafee. Present. Trustee Horn. Present. Trustee O'Brien. Present. And Chairman Lazard is here as well. The first item of business is the consent agenda, which consists of the the uh board minutes from uh June 16, 2026. Um the memorandum of executive session from June 16, 2026. Our uh Treasurer and CFO report, which includes the June 2026 cash disbursements, client privilege forms, uh the advanced practice registered uh nurse, physician assistant, obstetric synacology, or orthopeediatrics, radiology, radiology, and associate staff's surgery, surgery, associate staff, also medical staff appointments, reappointments, and changes to privileges, and the medical staff policies number 700-103 medical education, patient care involvement, and number 700-114 board certification. Uh is there a motion to approve the consent agenda? I'll move it. It's been been moved by Trustee Hannafee, seconded by Trustee O'Brien. Are there any comments from any of the board at this time? Uh hearing no comments, uh, we'll do a uh roll call vote. Uh uh Vice Chairperson Drummer. Yes. Uh Trustee De said is absent. Uh Trustee uh Dr. Fish. Yes. Trustee uh Hannafee. Yes. Trustee Horn. Yes. Trustee O'Brien. Yes. Trustee Lazard votes yes. Motion carries six zero one not here. Uh so the consent agenda is approved. Uh that takes us to the next matter on our our agenda, the general ordinance number one-2026, the adoption of the Marion County Public Health uh fee schedule. Um which is that uh the ordinance uh will now be read uh for a second time. Um it was read the first time at our June 16, 2026 board meeting, and we now read by uh our general counsel, Ann O'Connor. Number one-2026 adoption of MCPHDB schedule. Uh next we will hear uh an overview of the ordinance presented by Tara Parkman Parchman, uh Director of Finance, Marion County Public Health Department. You have a microphone near you, Tara. Good afternoon, thank you, trustee.

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